Australia’s dominance in the Brisbane Day-Night Test continues to grow, with the hosts firmly in control after a remarkable display of resilience from their lower order, most notably pacer Mitchell Stark. On the second day, Australia had finished with 378 for six after 73 overs, already signalling a strong first-innings performance. By the end of the first session on day three, they had crossed the 400-run mark, a milestone historically significant at the Gabba, where no side has ever lost after surpassing 400 in the first innings.
In the opening session today, Australia added 72 runs for the loss of two wickets in 26 overs. This brought their first-innings total to 450 for eight in 99 overs, giving them a commanding lead of 117 runs over England. The day began with two unbeaten batsmen from the previous day, Alex Carey and Michael Neser, whose partnership was broken early in the third day, with Neser dismissed for 16 by England captain Ben Stokes. Their previous unbroken 49-run seventh-wicket stand had promised continuity, but today they managed only an additional five runs before falling.
England’s bowlers then struggled to break the partnership of Mitchell Stark and Alex Carey for the eighth wicket. Stark, batting at number nine, surprised everyone with a display of textbook shots and tenacity, contributing crucial runs alongside Cameron Boland. Their 34-run partnership off 96 balls showcased Stark’s unexpected skill with the bat, frustrating the English bowlers who had hoped to wrap up the innings quickly. Carey eventually fell for 63, caught off Gus Atkinson in the 82.6th over, but Stark remained unbeaten, driving Australia further into a position of strength.
By the close of the first session, Stark and Boland were unbeaten on 46 and 7 respectively, keeping England on the back foot. Australia’s historically dominant record at the Gabba reinforces their advantage—only four losses at home after achieving a 100+ first-innings lead, the last being against South Africa in Sydney in 1994, 31 years ago.
Mitchell Stark’s unexpected heroics have not only extended Australia’s lead but have also created an almost insurmountable challenge for England. His innings is a stark reminder that even a team’s tail can turn matches, and England now faces the daunting task of clawing back from a seemingly decisive position.