4:46 pm today

The Ashes live: Australia v England - second test, day four

4:46 pm today

England face an uphill battle to avoid defeat, entering the fourth day of the second Ashes test against Australia at Brisbane's Gabba.

Chasing the Aussies' first-innings lead of 177 runs, the tourists are staggering at 134/6, needing another 43 runs to make their opponents bat again, with just four wickets in hand.

Captain Ben Stokes is at the crease, unbeaten on four runs, with allrounder Will Jacks also on four. Opener Zak Crawley compiled 44, before gifting bowler Michael Neser a return catch.

First-innings centurion Joe Root could manage only 15 in his second dig, while England lost three wickets for just seven runs in their middle-order collapse.

Australia lead the five-test series 1-0 and have not lost to England at the Gabba since 1986.

First ball on day four is scheduled for 5pm NZT.

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England batsmen Joe Root and Ben Stokes leave the field at the end of the second session on Day 1 of the Second Men’s Ashes Test between Australia and England at The Gabba in Brisbane, Thursday, December 4, 2025. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY, IMAGES TO BE USED FOR NEWS REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE WHATSOEVER, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM AAP

Joe Root and Ben Stokes Photo: DAVE HUNT

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