The Gabba Ghost Returns to Haunt England
If there is one script that English cricket fans have learned to dread over the decades, it’s the “Third Day at the Gabba” horror story. Today, on Day 3 of the 2nd Ashes Test of the 2025/26 series, that script played out with brutal precision.
What started as a day of glimmering hope for Ben Stokes’ men ended in a chaotic collapse under the Brisbane lights. Australia, led by an unexpected batting masterclass from Mitchell Starc and a relentless bowling attack, has firmly gripped the throat of this match. By Stumps, England limped off at 134/6, trailing by 43 runs, with their hopes of a series comeback dangling by a very thin thread.
In this detailed review, we break down exactly how Australia turned the screws, the “pink ball” factor, and why Mitchell Starc might just be the greatest all-round asset in modern Ashes history.
Scorecard Summary: Day 3 Stumps
Before we dive into the drama, let’s look at the numbers that defined the day. You can check the full official scorecard on the Cricket Australia official website
Australia (1st Innings): 511 All Out (Lead by 177 runs)
- Mitchell Starc: 77 (141 balls)
- Alex Carey: 63 (102 balls)
- Brydon Carse (ENG): 4/152
- England (2nd Innings): 134/6 (Trail by 43 runs)
England (2nd Innings): 134/6 (Trail by 43 runs)
- Zak Crawley: 44
- Ollie Pope: 26
- Mitchell Starc (AUS): 2/48
- Michael Neser (AUS): 2/11
The Equation: England effectively needs a miracle to avoid going 2-0 down in the series.
The Mitchell Starc Show: A Batting Masterclass
The headline of Day 3 wasn’t a top-order batsman or a fiery spell of bowling initially—it was the resilience of Australia’s tail. Resuming the day at 378/6, Australia was already in a decent position, but what followed broke England’s spirit.
The “All-Rounder” We Didn’t See Coming
Mitchell Starc has always been capable of hitting a long ball, but his innings of 77 off 141 balls was different. It wasn’t a slog-fest; it was a mature, calculated Test match innings. He left the ball well, drove through the covers with elegance, and punished the tired English legs.
He found a willing partner in Scott Boland (21*), and their 9th-wicket partnership of 75 runs was the psychological blow that defined the first two sessions. Every run added by the tail didn’t just swell the lead; it drained the energy from the English fielders who spent nearly 118 overs toiling in the humid Brisbane heat.
You could see the shoulders drop in the English camp. There is nothing more demoralizing in cricket than working hard to remove Smith, Labuschagne, and Head, only to be dismantled by the Number 9. Starc didn’t just score runs; he bought his bowlers valuable rest before the night session.
England’s Bowling: Tired Minds and Missed Chances
Credit must be given to Brydon Carse, who bowled his heart out to finish with 4 wickets. He looked like the only bowler capable of disturbing the furniture consistently. However, the lack of support was glaring.
Captain Ben Stokes tried everything—short ball barrages, bizarre field placings, and rotating his bowlers—but the execution was lacking. The “Bazball” philosophy often talks about taking 20 wickets, but on a flat Day 3 track, England’s attack looked toothless against the lower order. The inability to clean up the tail has been a systemic issue for England in Australia, and today, it cost them a potential lead of 177 runs.
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The Night Session: Chaos Under the Lights
The Gabba Day-Night Test is famous for one thing: The Twilight Zone.
When the sun sets and the floodlights take full effect, the pink ball starts to talk. England had to survive a tricky final session, and they failed spectacularly.
The Top Order Collapse
England started briskly with Zak Crawley playing some crisp shots, racing to 44. But as the shadows lengthened, the ball began to zip.
- Ben Duckett (15) was undone by a beauty from Scott Boland that kept low—a classic Gabba dismissal.
- Ollie Pope (26) and Zak Crawley (44) both fell victim to sharp return catches by Michael Neser, who proved to be a golden arm for Pat Cummins (watching from the sidelines due to rest/injury management).
The Umpiring Drama & DRS Madness
The middle session saw a flurry of DRS reviews that added to the theatrical chaos.
- Joe Root (15), England’s premier batter, was given not out initially, but a confident review from Australia showed a clear spike on Snicko.
- Harry Brook was given out, reviewed it, and survived, only to fall shortly after.
The sheer pressure of the situation seemed to scramble the brains of the English batters. The “rush of blood” shots we saw from Pope and the indecision from Root were direct results of the scoreboard pressure created by Starc earlier in the day.
Why Australia Dominates the “Big Moments”
Analyzing this day from a tactical perspective, the difference between the two sides is ruthlessness.
When Australia had England on the ropes, they didn’t loosen their grip. Mitchell Starc, fresh off scoring 77 runs, steamed in with the new pink ball and removed key batters. He wasn’t just a bowler; he was a man possessed, seemingly winning the match on his own.
Conversely, when England had Australia 6 down yesterday, they let the game drift. This inability to seize the “big moments” is why the Ashes urn has resided in Australia for so long. The mental fortitude of the Aussies, especially at their fortress in Brisbane, remains the decisive factor.
Fan Reactions: The Mood in the Stands
If you were scrolling through X (formerly Twitter) or Reddit during the play, the contrast in emotions was stark.
- Aussie Fans: The “Gabba” chants were loud. Memes of Mitchell Starc batting better than England’s top order flooded the internet. The atmosphere at the ground was described as “electric” during the night session.
- Barmy Army: The mood shifted from hopeful optimization to familiar despair. Comments like “Here we go again” and “Why do I stay up for this?” were trending in the UK.
It’s hard not to feel for the traveling fans. They bring the noise and the passion, but days like today test the loyalty of even the most die-hard supporters.
Day 4 Preview: Is There Any Hope for England?
Looking ahead to Day 4, the writing seems to be on the wall, but cricket is a funny game.
The Scenario:
England trails by 43 runs with only 4 wickets in hand. Ben Stokes (4*) and Will Jacks (4*) are at the crease.
What Needs to Happen:
For England to even make a game of this, Stokes needs to pull off another “Headingley 2019” miracle. They need to scrap their way to a lead of 150+ to give their bowlers something to bowl at.
What Will Likely Happen:
Australia will look to wrap up the tail within the first hour of Day 4. If Starc and Boland bowl with the same venom they showed tonight, this match could be over before Tea tomorrow.
Conclusion
Day 3 of the 2nd Ashes Test at the Gabba was a reminder of the brutal beauty of Test cricket. It shifted from a grinding batting display by Australia’s tail to a fast-forward collapse of England’s top order.
Mitchell Starc was undoubtedly the Player of the Day. His 77 runs broke England’s heart, and his 2 wickets broke their back. As we head into Day 4, Australia stands on the brink of a commanding 2-0 series lead, and England is left searching for answers in a series that is slipping away fast.
Final Verdict: Australia 90% favorites to win.
FAQ: Ashes 2025 Day 3
Q: Who was the top scorer on Day 3?
A: Mitchell Starc was the top scorer for Australia with 77 runs.
Q: Did England survive the night session?
A: Barely. They lost 5 wickets in the final session to finish on 134/6.
Q: What is the current series score?
A: Australia leads the series 1-0. A win here would make it 2-0.
Q: Why is the pink ball significant?
A: The pink ball is used for Day-Night Tests. It is known to swing more under lights (during the night session), making batting significantly harder, as England discovered today.
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