The Aus vs Eng Ashes 2025 series is in a sought-after situation. Australia wants a strong 2-0 series lead. England needs a win to keep their hopes of getting the urn back alive. Everyone is looking for the pink ball action.
After a stunning eight-wicket victory in Perth, Australia holds the upper hand. Now, the Aus vs Eng test shifts to Brisbane’s iconic Gabba for a day-night nail-biter that could define the series. The Aussie has a superb record in day-night affairs. They secured 13 wins out of 14 matches, which is above 90%. On the other hand, Stokes & Co. is struggling under the lights.
Ben Stokes faces a selection crunch after Mark Wood’s knee injury. England has opted for a tactical shift, confirming that all-rounder Will Jacks will play, providing a spin option and deeper batting.
They have resisted calling up specialist spinner Shoaib Bashir or an extra seamer like reserve Josh Tongue. For Australia, the equation is simpler but features a big absence.
Stand-in skipper Steve Smith will lead an unchanged squad from Perth, but the baggy greens must plan without opener Usman Khawaja, whose back injury has not healed in time. Captain Pat Cummins still has the opportunity for a dramatic late fitness test.
Live streaming of Aus vs Eng begins on December 4, and this match promises an exciting affair under lights. England needs answers fast, while Australia smells blood.
Table of Contents
When and Where to Watch Aus vs Eng Live
- Venue: The Gabba
- Time: 9:30 A.M. (IST)
- TV: Sony Sports Networks
- Live streaming: JioHotstar
Teams Facing Different Challenges
Australia’s Confidence Sky-High
Steve Smith captains again with Pat Cummins still sidelined. The squad remains unchanged from Perth, showing Australia’s faith in their winning formula.
Travis Head might open the batting after his match-winning century. Usman Khawaja’s back injury opens that door. Head smashing 152 in the second innings at Perth makes this move logical.
Scott Boland returns to his fortress. His Gabba record screams dominance of 31 wickets at just 15.90 in first-class cricket. Every single inning here, he’s taken wickets.
Likely
England Desperate for Answers
Ben Stokes faces a crisis. Mark Wood’s knee injury forces England into changes. Will Jacks replaces him, a spinner who bats properly and fields brilliantly.
Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts stayed back in Canberra for pink-ball practice. One might feature if conditions demand.
The Perth collapse haunts England. They controlled the match at lunch on day two, then collapsed spectacularly. Mental scars from that defeat could linger.
Aus vs Eng 2nd Test Predicted Playing 11
Australia XI: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (C), Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (WK), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett
England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer
Why the Gabba Terrifies England
History screams trouble for English teams here. Since 1933, they’ve won just four of 22 matches. In November 1986, they won their last game in Brisbane. Ian Botham scored a great 138 to lead them to victory.
That’s nearly 40 years of pain.
Australia lost its famous 31-Test unbeaten streak here against India in January 2021. But they’ve still won seven of their last nine Ashes Tests at this venue.
Day-night Tests tilt heavily toward Australia. They’ve won 13 of 14 pink-ball Tests.
And England’s record?
Five losses from seven attempts. Only won one.
Players Who Could Decide Everything
Marnus Labuschagne Returns Home
The Gabba is Labuschagne’s backyard. He averages 51 here with two centuries. Day-night Tests are even better for him. He has a 63 average and four centuries. His unbeaten 51 in Perth’s chase announced his return to form.
Ben Duckett Needs Big Runs
The left-hander made starts in Perth (21 and 28) but threw away both innings. He knows the Gabba from playing for Brisbane Heat, earning MVP honors during BBL|11.
England desperately needs their openers to deliver. Duckett must convert those starts into hundreds.
Travis Head on Fire
Head’s second innings of 152 in Perth changed the match completely. He loves Brisbane—averaging 152 twice here in Tests. Seven of his nine Gabba innings end with either 80-plus runs or golden ducks.
No middle ground exists with Head. When he fires, England suffers.
Harry Brook’s Consistency
Brook reached 50 in five of seven first-innings appearances this year. He’s made half-centuries in England’s first dig across his last three Tests against Australia.
England needs him to anchor their middle order again.
The Pink Ball Changes Everything
Bowlers strike every 74 deliveries at the Gabba during Ashes Tests—the second-best rate after Adelaide. The pink ball amplifies this advantage.
Mitchell Starc thrives here. He’s extracted 36 wickets from false shots in 2025 Tests, second globally behind Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani.
Brydon Carse offers England hope. His bowling average sits below 20 in Oceania. He’s grabbed multiple wickets in seven of eight innings here, collecting 23 total.
What’s at Stake Beyond Pride
The World Test Championship adds extra pressure. Australia sits at the top with four wins from four starts. England languishes in sixth place.
Teams earn 12 points for victories, four for draws. The top two nations meet in England’s WTC final mid-2027.
Losing here would devastate England’s championship hopes while Australia tightens its grip.
Series Momentum Matters Most
Australia has won the opening Ashes Test in their last five series. Only once this century has any team recovered after losing the first match—England’s famous 2005 triumph.
Falling 2-0 down would leave England needing to win three of the remaining Tests. History suggests that’s nearly impossible against Australia at home.
They haven’t beaten Australia in Australia since January 2011. That’s 16 Tests without victory on Australian soil.
Last Words
Brisbane under lights with a pink ball presents England’s nightmare scenario. Australia’s record here borders on terrifying. Their day-night dominance makes them overwhelming favorites.
England must find courage and execution immediately. Another collapse ends their Ashes dream before Christmas.
Indian fans settling in with morning tea on December 4 should prepare for drama. The Aus vs Eng Ashes rarely disappoints, and the Gabba guarantees intensity.
This match could define the entire series. Australia wants the knockout blow. England fights for survival.
The pink ball swings both ways, but history swings only one direction at the Gabba.
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My name is Krishanu Das the founder of the Sports Dribble.
I am Accountant by profession but a Sports Blogger by passion.
I am passionate about sharing my all knowledge and experiences of sports, with my readers and every sports enthusiast.
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