England had it all to do to save their Ashes series after the first session on day three at the Gabba with Australia’s tail end still at the crease. The hosts built a lead of 116 runs after the opening session of the day, with Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland frustrating Ben Stokes and co.
It was the England captain who struck the first blow of the day, but the Aussies have hit back and the tourists have had no response. Starc was 46 not out come the first interval of the day, just four short of his half-century, with almost every Australian better getting a decent score on the board. Here, the Express takes a look at the moments you might have missed following the opening session on day three.
Ben Stokes concern
England made a dismal start to day two at the Gabba yesterday and knew there could be no repeat. So it should come as little surprise that captain Stokes took the pink ball for the first over of the day. In contrast to England’s bowlers yesterday, he found a lovely line and length, getting that all-important early breakthrough.
Stokes dismissed Michael Neser with a lovely delivery that was edged behind and well held by Jamie Smith. It was a straightforward catch, but one the England wicketkeeper needed to take after yesterday’s display.
The England captain tried to keep the pressure on and wrap up the tail end quickly. They couldn’t afford to let the bolted horse run away even further into the distance. Stokes wasted no time in taking the new ball allowing Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson opportunity to dismiss the tail quickly.
The latter of the duo did get the next breakthrough and it was a big one. Atkinson tempted Alex Carey into a drive through the covers with a wider delivery, which took a thick edge and into the gloves of Smith.
However, there was growing concern heading into the middle session of the day, with Stokes the only bowler who was a consistent threat.
England’s bowlers struggles – again
Much like yesterday, Archer struggled to find his rhythm. On day two, he should have had more wickets to his name but his teammates dropped too many catches. Today, the onus was on the England quick to make his mark.
Australian legends Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden spent more time on commentary talking about Archer making his way into the ground with a pillow under his arm, rather than his bowling. That spoke volumes. Ex-opener, Hayden called on the hosts to frustrate the English quick and they did just that.
??????️ « Not even in the night are you going to see that! »
Haydos off the long run on what he’d think as a batter seeing Jofra with his pillow ??????#Ashes pic.twitter.com/UpehDaTorI
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 6, 2025
England’s bowlers had to put in a lot of work for little reward. Stokes was the only man who looked threatening to the Aussie tail who battened down the hatches and passed the 100-run lead.
The elephant in the room
You should never write off this England team under Stokes and Brendon McCullum, but at the end of the first session on day three, things are looking ominous.
Any team batting second at the Gabba with a lead has never lost a Test match. Australia are unbeaten at the iconic ground in Brisbane.
England know they’ll need to rewrite history and it’s been a frustrating second Test Down Under for the tourists. If the Three Lions repeat the same mistakes from the first Test in Perth and in their opening innings, this could be wrapped up pretty quickly.
The top-order need to bunker down and see off Mitchell Starc when they do eventually get the opportunity to bat.
