Ashes | DD News

December 8, 2025 4:08 PM

‘We trained too much’: McCullum blames England’s training overdose for Ashes loss

England's preparation for their second Ashes test may have been a case of too much training and not enough freshness, head coach Brendon McCullum said after his side slumped to another demoralising eight-wicket loss to Australia on Sunday. The tourists went 2-0 down in the series after Australia made light work of a 65-run target at the Gabba, with local hero Michael Neser's five-wicket haul setting up the victory that has left England staring at familiar heartbreak Down Under. McCullum reveal...

December 8, 2025 4:00 PM

Ashes: Australia captain Steve Smith laughs off fiery exchange with Jofra Archer

Australia captain Steve Smith downplayed his fiery exchange with Jofra Archer at the Gabba as "good banter" after letting his bat deliver the final riposte in the first major flashpoint of the Ashes on Sunday. Australia cruised to an eight‑wicket victory to take a 2-0 lead in the series, but a frustrated Archer added spice to the final session with a verbal clash with the man he floored at Lord's with a short ball two years ago. After Smith missed an attempted ramp-shot at the Gabba, Archer ...

December 8, 2025 3:55 PM

Australia’s Michael Neser hails special Ashes spell at Gabba after long absence

Australia quick Michael Neser said he will cherish his bowling performance at his home ground in Brisbane after he picked a five-wicket haul in the second Ashes test, helping the hosts to a comprehensive eight-wicket win on Sunday. Neser, competing in his first test in three years, broke the 96-run partnership between Ben Stokes and Will Jacks, dismissing both in his consecutive overs. The right-arm pacer finished with five for 42 as Australia bowled out the opposition for 241 with a lead of 6...

December 8, 2025 2:11 PM

Neser breaks England resistance at Gabba as Australia take 2-0 Ashes lead

Australia stormed to an eight-wicket victory in the second Ashes test in Brisbane to go 2-0 up in the series on Sunday as England's resistance was broken on day four by a pace blitz from unlikely hero Michael Neser. Helped by the catching magic of home captain Steve Smith, 35-year-old Neser finished with 5-42 at his home ground in his first test in three years, leaving the hosts needing 65 runs to win the day-night match. While England quick Gus Atkinson grabbed two wickets, opener Jake Weat...

December 7, 2025 10:12 AM

Australia’s Pat Cummins eyes Adelaide test return in Ashes

Australia captain Pat Cummins will be ready to return from injury for the third Ashes test against England in Adelaide, the fast bowler said on Saturday. Cummins missed the series-opener in Perth and the ongoing day-night match in Brisbane while recovering from a back injury. "I'll have one more bowl tomorrow (in the nets) and then we'll go to Adelaide and have a bowl there. So barring any hiccups, I'll be good to go," Cummins told host broadcaster Fox Sports. "The body feels great." Steve S...

December 5, 2025 10:59 AM

Australia’s Nathan Lyon angry at being dropped for second Ashes test

Australia spinner Nathan Lyon made no secret of his disappointment with being dropped for the second Ashes test in Brisbane, saying he had not yet been able to bring himself to speak to selectors about the decision. One of Australia's most successful bowlers with 562 wickets, Lyon was dropped for his first home test since 2012, with Michael Neser picked ahead of him in an all-pace attack. The move wrong-footed fans and cricket pundits but captain Steve Smith suggested an additional seamer migh...

December 5, 2025 10:59 AM

2nd Test: England’s Joe Root lights up Gabba with first Ashes century in Australia

England's Joe Root conquered his final frontier with a first Ashes century in Australia as the tourists pushed past 300 on day one of the second test in Brisbane on Thursday despite a six-wicket haul from pace spearhead Mitchell Starc. Root marched off unbeaten on 135 off 202 balls, his 40th test ton helping England to 325 for nine at stumps, the tourists marginally in front after their captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat first in the day-night match. Number 11 batter Jofra Arch...

December 2, 2025 10:24 AM

Marnus Labuschagne backs under fire Usman Khawaja ahead of second Ashes test

Marnus Labuschagne has backed Usman Khawaja ahead of the second Ashes test and made it clear he will not be moving back up the order even if Australia decide to drop the struggling opener. Khawaja struggled with back spasms during Australia's dramatic victory over England in the series opener in Perth, failing to open either innings and contributing only two runs to his team's cause. Travis Head's match-winning century as Khawaja's replacement as opener has reinvigorated the debate over the to...

December 2, 2025 10:24 AM

England bowlers have plans to tackle Travis Head in Brisbane: Brydon Carse

England fast bowler Brydon Carse said his team has firm plans to counter the threat posed by Travis Head after the Australian made a blistering century at the top of the order to set up an eight-wicket win in the Ashes series opener in Perth. Middle-order batter Head opened in place of the injured Usman Khawaja in Australia's second innings and the aggressive left-hander made a century in 69 balls - the second-fastest in Ashes history - en route to a match-winning 123. Head told reporters ahea...

November 30, 2025 4:00 PM

Travis Head prepared to open again for Australia after heroics in first Ashes test

Australia's Travis Head says he is prepared to open the batting once more against England during the ongoing Ashes series after his second innings display in the first test in Perth last week led the home side to an eight-wicket victory over the tourists. Head smashed a century in 69 balls, the second fastest in Ashes history, on his way to a match-winning 123 runs after being drafted in as a late replacement for Usman Khawaja, when the regular top-order batter was unable to take to the field. ...