Ashes 2025-26: England’s challenge grows after falling 0-2 behind, needing a dramatic turnaround to revive hopes.
England made their blueprint for project ‘Bazball’ over the past four years. They convinced themselves of an aggressive brand of cricket with full support for their players despite a continuous slump in form. And now, in just six days on the field, the Ben Stokes-led side is 2-0 down against Australia in the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 and are in need of a miracle to win the urn back.
If the opening Test in Perth lacked preparation, then the second day-night contest in Brisbane was a horror show. In a nutshell, it was the same old story of irresponsible batting, haphazard bowling, and childish fielding, featuring several dropped catches. They decided not to play the two-day warm-up game in Manuka Oval, and it didn’t take them much time to face the consequences.
Read More: Joe Root gets his first Test century in Australia
England lacked common sense in Brisbane’s eight-wicket defeat
Apart from Joe Root and Ben Stokes, England players lacked common sense with their batting and bowling in the Brisbane Test. It started with Harry Brook, who possesses spectacular talent and breathtaking stroke playing abilities. But at the same time, he frustrated the fans with reckless shots.
In the first innings, he went after a wide delivery from Mitchell Starc to be caught at slip. That was exactly what Australia wanted him to do, and Brook fell for the trap. In tight situations so far in his career, the Yorkshire batter has let his team down, failing to shoulder any responsibility.
Ollie Pope didn’t give himself a chance in the first innings by trying to cut a ball too close to his body. In the second innings too, Pope didn’t learn from his mistake. After an insignificant 26-run knock, he drove a good length delivery on the up, resulting in a caught and bowled dismissal. Rather than waiting for the bad ball, he gave his wicket away quite easily. In his 63-match England Test career he has hardly offered any variation, resulting in being too predictable for opponents.
Zak Crawley batted well in the first innings for his 76 runs. However, in the second innings, he let his team down the river. Despite watching Pope getting dismissed driving on the up, the lanky opener attempted the same mistake four overs later and paid the price.
The best batter for the tourists in the entire game was Joe Root, who celebrated his maiden Test century in Australia. He stayed in control for his unbeaten 138-run knock in the first innings by letting the ball come to him. He also didn’t allow his bat to go after half-hearted drives chasing the wider deliveries. Stokes was equally good for his 152-ball 50 runs in the second innings, reflecting how England had the skills but didn’t use them when needed.
England’s first innings bowling didn’t have any stable planning. They were far too short to the Australia batters who were pulling, hooking, and uppercutting them over the third man and fine leg fence with ease. When England pitched it up, they bowled easy half-volleys. They just didn’t put enough balls in the corridor of uncertainty.
Brydon Carse resorted to a predictable short-ball plan, repeatedly banging the ball in without variation, a tactic Australia’s batters could have punished far more ruthlessly. Jofra Archer, meanwhile, looked short of his usual zip as the innings wore on. Having played little first-class cricket, the pace dropped noticeably by his third spell. England may have wrapped him in cotton wool to ensure his availability for the series, but the lack of match fitness was evident.
Read More: Has Bazball been counter-productive for England when they have been ahead in the game?
England need to walk the talk under Ben Stokes’ high-intensity message
Stokes’ message of ‘no place for weak people’ echoed the lack of intensity among the visiting players in this trip so far. Now, it will be vital for the captain to lead from the front. Ben Stokes, on many occasions, gets compared to Sir Ian Botham, who turned the 1981 Ashes on its head. The latter notched up 399 runs and grabbed 34 wickets to turn the 0-1 deficit into a 3-1 victory. Even though it will be a different challenge down under, Stokes will need to get near the same intensity as the leader.
Subsequently, the batters will need to take more responsibility. Once they get set or reach their respective fifties, they must convert them into centuries. That will be the only way to put pressure on the home side. Root showed them the path, but his lone contribution won’t be enough.
Meanwhile, the bowling group will have to find ways to take 20 wickets without leaking many runs. Since the first innings of the Perth Test, England’s bowling has only been about emotions. In Adelaide, they will need to bring Shoaib Bashir into the eleven. His spin bowling will be vital in the second innings of the game once the cracks start to arrive late in the game.
England decided to take a break at the Noosa beach ahead of the third Test. And the locals turned up holding placards reading ‘for sale: moral victories’ and ‘Bazballers anonymous, free counselling.’ Australia and its public have given a massive slap to Bazball. Skipper Ben Stokes, Head Coach Brendon McCullum, and their team will have their last chance at redemption when the make-or-break third Test begins on December 17 at the Adelaide Oval.
Read More: Ashes 2025-26: Bazball’s true litmus test; Will Australia bowlers stop England juggernaut?
