511/10 (117.3)
CR : 4.35
334/10 (76.2)
CR : 4.38
Australia won by 8 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Mitchell Starc
6/75 & 2/6477(141)
Australia in D/N Tests:
Matches: 15
Won: 14
Lost: 1 (vs West Indies, Brisbane, 2024)
Matches: 15
Won: 14
Lost: 1 (vs West Indies, Brisbane, 2024)
Steve Smith as Captain in The Ashes:
Matches: 8
Won: 7
Draw: 1
Matches: 8
Won: 7
Draw: 1
Most Sixes for Australia Against an Opponent in Tests:
25* – Steve Smith vs England
24 – Matthew Hayden vs India
21 – Adam Gilchrist vs New Zealand
25* – Steve Smith vs England
24 – Matthew Hayden vs India
21 – Adam Gilchrist vs New Zealand
England’s Last 17 Tests in Australia:
Lost: 15
Draw: 2
Won: 0
Lost: 15
Draw: 2
Won: 0
Player of the Match: Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc (Player of the Match): "Two wins. Can't ask much more. Happy to get on the right of it.
It takes a little bit longer in the morning at this age. But I'm enjoying it.
We have seen at this venue before. The pink ball gets softer very early. The batting in the first innings was key there. Neser was phenomenal today in front of his home crowd.
I'm trying to do the same things. Still trying to bowl as fast as I can and hit the stumps as much as possible.
It was nice to put a partnership out there. There is a tactical side to the Pink Ball Tests. If you could bat longer and get a chance to bowl in the night, it will be great. It was key for us to push back the bowling innings. Happy to contribute with the bat. I'll enjoy the extra day to put my feet up and get ready for Adelaide."
It takes a little bit longer in the morning at this age. But I'm enjoying it.
We have seen at this venue before. The pink ball gets softer very early. The batting in the first innings was key there. Neser was phenomenal today in front of his home crowd.
I'm trying to do the same things. Still trying to bowl as fast as I can and hit the stumps as much as possible.
It was nice to put a partnership out there. There is a tactical side to the Pink Ball Tests. If you could bat longer and get a chance to bowl in the night, it will be great. It was key for us to push back the bowling innings. Happy to contribute with the bat. I'll enjoy the extra day to put my feet up and get ready for Adelaide."
Mitchell Starc has won the most Player of the Match awards in Day/Night Tests, sharing the top spot with Travis Head — both have won it three times.
Ben Stokes (England Captain): “It’s obviously very disappointing. A lot of it comes down to not being able to stand up to the pressure of this game and this format.
When the match is on the line, we’ve had moments where we’ve pulled things back, but then let them slip again, and that’s been the pattern this week. That’s particularly frustrating given the quality of players in that dressing room.
If I could put my finger on exactly why it’s happening, I would, but it doesn’t feel like a skills issue. There’s real talent here, so we’ve got to dig deeper mentally and find what’s causing us to fall short in those big moments.
We knew what we had to do with the ball on that wicket, and we didn’t execute for long enough to put Australia under pressure. That allowed them to score quickly and take control.
There’s been constant communication out there - we see what they’re trying, and we try to negate it, but at the critical moments, Australia have outperformed us.
We’re two-nil down now with three games to go, and of course I believe in this dressing room. We’ve come back from similar positions before. We know what we need to do and we’ll have those tough conversations, sort out what’s gone wrong, and try to show more fire when it’s required.”
When the match is on the line, we’ve had moments where we’ve pulled things back, but then let them slip again, and that’s been the pattern this week. That’s particularly frustrating given the quality of players in that dressing room.
If I could put my finger on exactly why it’s happening, I would, but it doesn’t feel like a skills issue. There’s real talent here, so we’ve got to dig deeper mentally and find what’s causing us to fall short in those big moments.
We knew what we had to do with the ball on that wicket, and we didn’t execute for long enough to put Australia under pressure. That allowed them to score quickly and take control.
There’s been constant communication out there - we see what they’re trying, and we try to negate it, but at the critical moments, Australia have outperformed us.
We’re two-nil down now with three games to go, and of course I believe in this dressing room. We’ve come back from similar positions before. We know what we need to do and we’ll have those tough conversations, sort out what’s gone wrong, and try to show more fire when it’s required.”
Steve Smith (Australia Captain): "Yeah, pretty chilled now. Great fun out there. The guys toiled hard early on. Good partnership between Stokes and Jacks but we broke it and good to chase down 60-odd runs.
The first two days were pretty even with conditions we faced. The game turned for us when we extended those partnerships with the bat. Everyone got into double digits. The tail, to bat for 50 overs, and to extend that period so that we could bowl under lights was a great effort.
It can be tricky with the pink ball. You are never in it. You get a ball change of something like lights come up and it quickens a bit. It's a tricky game at times. But I thought the guys extended the partnerships with the bat.
Neser made our batting a bit longer while coming in at number eight. He offers something different than the other guys. We can bring the keeper up. It was pleasing to see him pick up five wickets.
(On Alex Carey) He's a freak. The ball just sticks in his hands. He hasn't got any fear there, standing up to the pacers. That was the best keeping performance I have seen.
(On his catch off Jacks) It's got to be up there. It's tough when you have a pink ball and the lights are on. I was a bit blinded by Alex. I was standing a bit wide because of Alex. It was a crucial for us to break that partnership.
(On handing the captaincy back to Cummins) All he's. It's been fun the last couple of games. The boys have done a fine job and it's up to Patty to take it."
The first two days were pretty even with conditions we faced. The game turned for us when we extended those partnerships with the bat. Everyone got into double digits. The tail, to bat for 50 overs, and to extend that period so that we could bowl under lights was a great effort.
It can be tricky with the pink ball. You are never in it. You get a ball change of something like lights come up and it quickens a bit. It's a tricky game at times. But I thought the guys extended the partnerships with the bat.
Neser made our batting a bit longer while coming in at number eight. He offers something different than the other guys. We can bring the keeper up. It was pleasing to see him pick up five wickets.
(On Alex Carey) He's a freak. The ball just sticks in his hands. He hasn't got any fear there, standing up to the pacers. That was the best keeping performance I have seen.
(On his catch off Jacks) It's got to be up there. It's tough when you have a pink ball and the lights are on. I was a bit blinded by Alex. I was standing a bit wide because of Alex. It was a crucial for us to break that partnership.
(On handing the captaincy back to Cummins) All he's. It's been fun the last couple of games. The boys have done a fine job and it's up to Patty to take it."
So, where does this leave us? Australia now lead 2-0 in this five-match Ashes series. They walk off with confidence, rhythm, and momentum. England? Questions. Adjustments. Pressure. But the Ashes never sleep, and neither does rivalry. And with that… We wrap this Test. Australia win. Smith finishes it. See you in the next one, as the third match will start on Wednesday, 17th December. The Ashes stay loud.
Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentator Akshay Bhide, scorer Bishal Mandal, and statistician Aman. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. But cricket doesn’t sleep. Plenty is happening around the world. Switch tabs, follow the fun. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!
Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentator Akshay Bhide, scorer Bishal Mandal, and statistician Aman. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. But cricket doesn’t sleep. Plenty is happening around the world. Switch tabs, follow the fun. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!