Ashes 2025/26: Michael Neser Grabs Maiden Test Five-For in a Career-Defining Moment
Michael Neser’s maiden Test five for leads Australia to an eight wicket win at The Gabba and a 2–0 Ashes lead.
Australia moved 2–0 ahead in the Ashes 2025/26 with a calm eight wicket win at The Gabba. Their small chase of 65 was never in doubt after a strong bowling display earlier in the Test.
Michael Neser was the story of the match. Playing his first Test in three years and only his third overall, he grabbed 5 for 42 in England’s second innings. He also took 1 for 43 in the first, finishing with six wickets in the match.
His spell cut through key names. He removed Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope, then sent back Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse. England were bowled out for 241 after showing some resistance in a 96 run stand between Stokes and Will Jacks.
That stand ended when Steve Smith dived low to his left and pulled off a sharp one handed catch to dismiss Jacks on 41. The moment opened the door for Australia and England slid quickly.
England had earlier reached 334 thanks to Joe Root’s unbeaten 138. But Mitchell Starc’s six wickets kept them in check. Australia then took control with a first innings total of 511, built on five fifties across the batting order.
With only 65 needed in the final innings, Australia finished at 66 for 2 to wrap up the Test. The result puts them firmly on top in the five match series.
Neser now has 13 Test wickets at an average of 15.53. This was his maiden Test five for, adding to 13 five fors in first class cricket, along with 20 four fors and 419 career FC wickets.
Australia’s strong first innings lead and Neser’s third innings burst proved too much for England. Root and Stokes fought hard, but Australia stayed in charge and pushed the Ashes further out of England’s reach.
