The Ashes: Australia go 2-0 up as Mitchell Starc shines at the Gabba

Mitchell Starc was the chief destroyer, taking eight wickets in the match and scoring a crucial 77 in the second innings to stretch Australia's lead over the tourists.

Day 4 at the Gabba began with England on 134/6, still 43 runs shy of making Australia bat again. Talisman Ben Stokes and Will Jacks needed to bat, and bat they did. The duo absorbed an incredible amount of balls and pressure. For 36 overs, Australia had no answer as the four-pronged pace attack slogged away in the Gold Coast afternoon sun.

The pair barely acknowledged a polite cheer from the crowd as they went past the Australian total, understanding there was still plenty of work to do.

But once Michael Neser struck, England's house of cards came tumbling down. Jacks got a healthy outside edge and Setve Smith took an absolute stunner with his left hand just millimetres off the turf to fire up the hosts.

But the real breakthrough came in Neser's next over, where Stokes got a fine edge through to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who was standing up to the stumps. A crestfallen Stokes departed for a stoic 50 with England's hopes following behind hi.

Neser continued to mop up the England tail and his fifth wicket was the final of England's innings, leaving the hosts just 65 to win.

It was always going to be a sprint finish. After a six and a couple of fours, Travis Head chopped one on in the fifth over and Marnus Labuschagne nicked off soon after. But they were merely specks of rain on Australia's parade as captain Smith bludgeoned 23 off nine balls to get his side over the line and leave England wandering what's to come.

The third Test begins in Adelaide on 17 December.