Ashes blaze at Gabba: Smith’s final-over 6, Neser’s 5-42 power Australia to dominant 2–0 advantage

Brisbane: Hosts Australia cricket team completed a commanding eight-wicket victory over England cricket team at the Gabba to clinch the 2nd Test of the 2025–26 Ashes and take a 2–0 lead in the five-match series.

The win was capped by a stunning final blow from Steve Smith — an unbeaten 23 off just nine deliveries, punctuated by a six — to seal the chase of a modest target of 65.

From the outset of Day 4, England had resumed at 134/6 in their second innings, still trailing Australia.

Despite a defiant stand from Ben Stokes (50) and Will Jacks (41), the tail collapsed under pressure from the Australian bowling attack led by a largely unheralded but ruthless Michael Neser.

Neser — playing his first Test in three years — recorded a superb 5-42, his first-ever five-wicket haul in Test cri