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- AUS vs ENG Live Score, 2nd Ashes Test Day 4: England 241 all out; Australia need 65 runs to win Brisbane Test
AUS vs ENG Live Score, 2nd Ashes Test Day 4: England 241 all out; Australia need 65 runs to win Brisbane Test
Starc has now been central to the narrative of the series. After being voted Player of the Match in Australia’s eight-wicket victory in the opener at Perth — where he collected a 10-wicket haul — the left-arm quick has placed himself in contention for another award. Across the first two days, he dismantled England with six wickets in their first innings of 334 before producing a brutal 77, the highest score of Australia’s reply of 511.
His influence didn’t stop there. Under the pink ball on Saturday night, with swing on offer and England under pressure, Starc removed No.1-ranked Joe Root for 15 to put the visitors on the back foot. He struck again in his next over, dismissing Jamie Smith to leave England six down and still in serious deficit. His tally now stands at 18 wickets in the series.
Earlier, Australia’s batters had piled on the frustration for England, achieving a rare Test milestone: all eleven players reached double figures. Five of them — Jake Weatherald (72), Marnus Labuschagne (65), stand-in captain Steve Smith (61), Alex Carey (63) and Starc — went on to score fifties, while the lower order added crucial runs. Starc’s 75-run partnership with No.10 Scott Boland set a new ninth-wicket record at the Gabba.
England’s bowling card reflected a long, punishing day. Brydon Carse finished with 4-152, skipper Ben Stokes collected 3-113, and Gus Atkinson bowled 28 overs for figures of 1-114. Jofra Archer claimed one wicket while Jacks, the only spinner in the match, removed the final Australian batter and finished with 1-34.
England had begun their second innings positively before losing both openers. Scott Boland struck twice, while Michael Neser chipped in with sharp return catches to dismiss Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley.
Australia now need just four wickets on Sunday to claim a 2-0 lead in the five-match series — and unless England produce something remarkable, that outcome appears a formality.
Michael Neser to Zak Crawley, On a length, outside off, pushed towards cover.
Michael Neser to Ben Duckett, Uppish, but safe! Full, outside off, Ben Duckett goes hard on the drive, coming forward. The ball hits the face of the bat and lobs in the air. Travis Head dives to his left from mid off, but the ball lands just in front of him and bursts through his hands. By the time he can get up and recover the ball, another triplet is taken. Jeez, that's the third triple in 32 balls in this inning!
Last over before Dinner. No experiments from Smith. Neser to continue.
Michael Neser to Zak Crawley, That's interesting. Are Australia rattled already? We are just into the 6th over of the innings and there is already a deep square leg in place. Full and on middle, Zak Crawley flicks it through mid-wicket and by the time the deep square leg fielder can get to his left to stop the ball, three runs are taken. The stand moves to 42 (31)!
- Zak Crawley 23 (18)
- Ben Duckett 10 (12)
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Full, around off, Zak Crawley pushes it to deep point for a single. Just one dot ball in that over, going for 13!
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Full, outside off, ZC punches it through point for another couple. The deficit is now 139.
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Scrambled seam, on a length, outside off, slanting away, Zak looks to drive this on the up without moving his feet and misses.
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, FOUR! Excellent batting. On a length, outside off, Zak Crawley gets on top of the bounce and punches it on the up through the covers, for the second boundary of the over.
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Full on middle and leg, swinging down, Crawley looks to flick, but misses. The ball goes off his pads towards fine leg and the batters take a couple. Leg byes signalled.
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, FOUR! AMAZING! Full, outside off, Zak Crawley comes forward and exhibits a lovely straight drive. The ball pings off the middle of the bat and races through mid off, to find the boundary. The deficit is now 147. This stand is now worth 30 (25)!
- Ben Duckett 10 (12)
- Zak Crawley 12 (12)
Michael Neser to Ben Duckett, FOUR RUNNING RUNS! Full and straight, 132.4 kph, BD clips it through mid-wicket. Scott Boland gives it a good chase from mid on and gets to the ball with a slide and pushes it back in. But by the time the backup fielder arrives, the batters have enough time to return for the fourth.
Michael Neser to Ben Duckett, On a length, outside off, Ben shoulders arms.
Michael Neser to Ben Duckett, FOUR BYES! Misdirection of the radar. This would have been a nice outswinger for Crawley but for Duckett, this is pitched well outside leg and then swinging further down. He lets it go and Alex Carey has no chance behind the stumps.
Michael Neser to Ben Duckett, DROPPED! Is that the luck which Ben Duckett needs? Full on middle, Duckett looks to hammer this down the ground but plays the shot a bit too early. Ends up getting it off the toe end of the bat but still, the ball rockets back to the bowler. Michael Neser tries to hold on with both hands but the ball pings his palms and pops out.
Michael Neser to Ben Duckett, Fuller and wider outside off, Duckett lets it go.
The Barmy Army has found it voice again. It was silent for most part of the day but this quickfire start has got the band going.
Michael Neser to Ben Duckett, On a length, outside off, slanting away, Ben Duckett punches it to Jake Weatherald at point.
- Zak Crawley 12 (12)
- Ben Duckett 6 (6)
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, FOUR! England are going at run-a-ball in this second innings. Overpitched, swinging down leg, Zak Crawley whips it through square leg. The deficit is now 159.
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Full and straight, hint of inward shape, Crawley works it towards mid-wicket.
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, On a length, around off, 140.2 kph, Zak Crawley waits for the ball to arrive and dabs it past gully, to his right. By the time Cameron Green can get to the ball with a slide, two more runs are taken.
Mitchell Starc to Ben Duckett, Full and down the leg side, Ben clips it over mid-wicket. The timing is not that great and hence, the ball clugs in the outfield. Enough time to return for three.
Mitchell Starc to Ben Duckett, On a length, outside off, Duckett lets it go.
Mitchell Starc to Ben Duckett, Full, outside off, 138.9 kph, nipping back in, Ben Duckett stays in his crease and works it towards short mid-wicket.
- Zak Crawley 6 (9)
- Ben Duckett 3 (3)
Michael Neser to Zak Crawley, Full and wide outside off, going straight on, Zak Crawley makes a hattrick of leaves.
Michael Neser to Zak Crawley, Outside off, on a length, moving away, ZC lets it go again.
Michael Neser to Zak Crawley, Better bowling, excellent leave. On a length, just outside off, nipping back in, but Zak knows where his off stump is and shoulders arms. That bounces a shade but is away from the off stump.
Michael Neser to Zak Crawley, FOUR! The first boundary for England. That will give Crawley a lot of confidence. Neser goes for the glory ball, the big booming inswinger, but ends up landing the ball on middle and leg, on too full a length. Zak Crawley whips it without fuss through square leg. The deficit is now 168.
Michael Neser to Zak Crawley, Better line, starting outside off and slanting inward, then moving away, Crawley lets it go again.
Michael Neser to Zak Crawley, Full and wide outside off to start. There is some outswing available, but the line was just too wide. Zak Crawley gets across and lets it go.
First things first for England. Mitchell Starc has been denied a wicket in his opening over. In all the previous three innings, he has struck in his first over. Michael Neser will share the new strawberry with Starc.
- Zak Crawley 2 (3)
- Ben Duckett 3 (3)
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, On middle and leg, on a length, 141.5 kph, Zak nudges it through square leg for a run.
Mitchell Starc to Ben Duckett, Off the king pair and then the pair, in grand style! Starc goes for the big booming inswinger but dishes a half volley on the pads. Ben clips it through mid-wicket and gets three runs.
Mitchell Starc to Ben Duckett, Fuller, outside off, swinging away, Duckett walks down the track and pushes it towards backward point.
Mitchell Starc to Ben Duckett, Landed outside off, Ben Duckett comes forward and pushes it towards mid off.
Over to Ben Duckett now, who is on a pair.
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, On a length, outside off, Crawley taps it towards mid off and takes a quick single.
Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Good length to start. Full, outside off, swinging in, Zak Crawley watchfully pushes it towards cover.
Starc, Player of the Match in the opening Test after a 10-wicket haul, continued his brilliant form. After taking six wickets in England’s first innings, he top-scored with 77 as Australia posted 511 for a commanding 177-run lead. Under lights, he returned to remove Joe Root for 15 and Jamie Smith soon after, lifting his series tally to 18 wickets.
Scott Boland and Michael Neser earlier took two wickets each in the night session, striking after England had reached 45 without loss at the break.
Australia’s first innings featured a rare achievement — all 11 batters reached double figures, with five scoring half-centuries.
England’s bowlers endured a taxing day, with Brydon Carse (4-152) leading the attack.
Australia now needs four more wickets on Sunday to secure a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Match Statistics
Venue
The Gabba, Brisbane
