Visiting side England were looking set to put up a competitive score as they came in to bat at 193/6 with Ben Stokes and Will Jacks going strong in the middle. The pair batted well to navigate their way through an Australian attack that was slowly beginning to click.
Slowly rotating strike and going at just under three runs an over, the pair fell just four short of the 100-run partnership when Australia captain Steve Smith took a blinder. Michael Neser bowled one on the fifth stump line, drawing Jacks into the drive but only managing a thick edge to second slip. Smith went down sharply to his left and grabbed the ball just before it hit the ground.
They say wickets come in pairs and so they did, when Ben Stokes fell to another lovely delivery from Neser. Alex Carey has stood up to the stumps several times in this test match, and it paid off in what could be one of the biggest moments of the game for Australia. Stokes tried to cut the ball to the third man region but nicked the ball, with Carey taking a sharp catch behind the stumps.
Stokes walked away in despair and disappointment with the backdrop of the Australians celebrating as if they could smell victory. Shortly after, Brendan Doggett was rewarded for his tireless efforts on the shorter length as he forced Gus Atkinson into an awkward pull, with Smith promptly taking the catch at mid on.
Brydon Carse was the final English wicket to fall as Neser, the pink-ball expert, picked up an invaluable five-fer for Australia that put them well on the way to victory.
Travis Head and Jake Weatherald walked in like men possessed, looking to chase down the total in a hurry. Head raced to 19 off 18 deliveries, scoring two fours and one six, while Weatherald scored 10 off 12 with one boundary. The hosts are halfway there, requiring just 32 more runs to win this Test match and go 2-0 up in this Ashes series.
Stay tuned for the evening session from The Gabba in Brisbane.
