Ashes 2025: Australia Seize Control After Day 3 Dominance at the Gabba

Australia extended a 177-run first-innings lead on Day 3 of the Gabba Test before ripping through England under lights. With the visitors 134/6, the hosts are on the brink of 2-0.

Hamidur Rahim Mahir December 6, 2025 2 minutes read

Australia tightened their grip on the second Ashes Test on Saturday, leaving England fighting to survive into Day 4. After a stubborn lower-order effort pushed Australia to a commanding first-innings total, the hosts struck hard under lights to have England reeling at stumps. Australia already lead the five-match series 1-0 after winning in Perth.

Australia’s first-innings lead grows into a major advantage

Australia resumed Day 3 at 378/6 and made England toil for every breakthrough. The innings eventually reached 511, a total that turned England’s 334 into a distant opening act. That left Australia with a solid 177-run lead.

The scale of that advantage matters in a day-night Test. It forced England to start their second innings in the most dangerous period of all: the fading light and the hard, lively pink ball.

Starc’s innings underlines Australia’s depth

Mitchell Starc again became the story, this time with the bat. His gritty 77 from No. 9 soaked up time and added crucial runs, extending Australia’s dominance. He shared a 75-run ninth-wicket stand with Scott Boland that frustrated England and shifted the match’s emotional momentum.

England’s bowlers looked drained by the time the tail was finally removed. Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse took wickets, but both paid heavily in runs, reflecting a day of long spells and fading control.

England’s promising start fades under the lights

England began their chase with early purpose. The openers moved briskly before Australia’s pace attack found movement and rhythm. By the end of the day, the visitors had slid into deep trouble.

The Guardian reported England fell from 90/1 to 134/6, losing key wickets in quick succession. The collapse reinforced how brutal the Gabba twilight can be in pink-ball cricket.

Australia’s pace trio set up a Day 4 finish

Australia’s bowlers spread the damage, keeping pressure constant from both ends. With six England wickets down and the visitors still trailing, the home side will believe they have set up a decisive final push.

The match has also highlighted a key Ashes theme. Australia’s ability to extract value from lower-order runs and late-session bursts continues to break England’s plans.

Series stakes rise with Adelaide next

If Australia close this out, they will take a 2-0 lead and carry heavy momentum into Adelaide. England, meanwhile, face a tough reset after fielding and bowling lapses across the first two Tests. Day 4 now looks like a test of survival rather than strategy.

For England fans, the hope is simple. Bat long, blunt the new ball, and try to force Australia to chase with time pressure. For Australia, the formula is even simpler. One more ruthless session.

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