Starc’s Masterclass Puts Australia on Brink of Ashes 2025 Dominance
The Gabba, a fortress for Australian cricket, lived up to its fearsome reputation on Day 3 of the 2nd Ashes Test. In a display of sheer dominance, Mitchell Starc produced a career-defining all-round performance that has left England staring down the barrel of a 2-0 series deficit. With the visitors collapsing to 134-6 in their second innings, the scene is set for a potentially series-defining finish in Brisbane.
Table of Contents
- Starc: The Undisputed Hero of the Day
- England’s All-Too-Familiar Collapse
- The Gabba’s Ghosts of History
- What’s Next for the Ashes 2025?
- Conclusion
- Sources
Starc: The Undisputed Hero of the Day
Mitchell Starc wasn’t just good on Day 3; he was the entire story. With the bat, he smashed a brilliant 77 runs off just 141 balls, a knock that was as vital as it was flashy. His innings was the cornerstone that transformed Australia’s first-innings total into a monstrous 511, setting up a daunting 177-run lead .
But Starc wasn’t done. With the pink ball in hand under the Gabba lights, he turned predator. His aggressive new-ball spell tore through the top order, and his relentless pressure was a key factor in England’s dramatic second-innings meltdown. Starc, the leading wicket-taker of the Ashes 2025 series with 17 wickets already, demonstrated why he remains one of the most feared bowlers in the world . His ability to swing the ball both ways at pace is a nightmare for any batting lineup, but especially for an English side that has looked fragile throughout this series.
England’s All-Too-Familiar Collapse
England’s batting woes continued in spectacular fashion. From a relatively comfortable 90/1, their innings imploded in the final session of the day. They lost five wickets for a mere 38 runs, a collapse that felt hauntingly familiar to their struggles in previous Ashes tours .
Their troubles were compounded by a combination of poor shot selection against the seaming ball and a fielding performance on the previous day that saw them drop five crucial chances, a missed opportunity that has now come back to haunt them . Batters like Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley fell to loose shots, while Joe Root, the one constant, was left with little support. By stumps, England was in tatters at 134-6, still 43 runs in arrears and facing a mountain to climb . This performance has led to scathing criticism, with many observers labeling their new-ball response as “awful” .
The Gabba’s Ghosts of History
The Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba, has long been a nightmare for English teams. The statistics are stark: Australia has won a staggering 33 matches at this venue against England’s mere 9 . The pitch, known for its pace, bounce, and early seam movement, perfectly suits the Australian attack, and the passionate home crowd only adds to the pressure cooker environment. This historical context makes England’s task even more daunting. To salvage a draw from 134-6 on this pitch against a fired-up Australian bowling unit would be a miracle of historic proportions.
What’s Next for the Ashes 2025?
With two full days of play remaining, a few scenarios could unfold:
- Australia Victory (Most Likely): If England’s lower and middle order can’t mount a significant partnership, Australia could wrap up the match on Day 4 or early Day 5, securing a 2-0 lead in the series. This would put immense pressure on England for the remainder of the series.
- England Fights for a Draw: A resilient rearguard action from the likes of Ben Stokes or Jonny Bairstow could see England bat out the remaining time. However, given their current position and the quality of the Australian attack, this seems a tall order.
- A Shocking English Comeback: The most unlikely, but not impossible, scenario would be a massive partnership that not only erases the deficit but sets Australia a tricky target. This would require a level of performance England has yet to show in this series.
For fans of the game, this is the kind of high-stakes drama that makes the Ashes 2025 one of the most compelling rivalries in sport. You can follow live updates and analysis on [INTERNAL_LINK:ashes-live-scores] or explore the rich [INTERNAL_LINK:cricket-history] of this iconic series.
Conclusion
Mitchell Starc’s heroic all-round display on Day 3 has effectively put the 2nd Ashes Test beyond England’s reach. The combination of a formidable 177-run lead and a devastating bowling performance that left England at 134-6 has all but sealed a 2-0 series lead for the hosts. Unless England can produce a miracle on the final two days, the Gabba will once again be the site of an Australian Ashes triumph, reinforcing their dominance in this historic rivalry.