Staff Reporter.
The England players after the defeat. AP/PTI.
England’s hope evaporated into a crushing nine-wicket defeat by Australia on the fourth day of the first Ashes Test at the Gabba.
After the optimism of their third-day fightback, England meekly lost their last eight wickets for 77 runs in the morning session, including the crucial departures of Joe Root for 89 and Dawid Malan on 82.
Malan was Nathan Lyon’s 400th Test wicket, the off-spinner going on to claim 4-91 as England were bowled out for 297.
Australia were left with only 20 to chase, which they completed soon after lunch in the Brisbane sun to give Pat Cummins victory in his first Test as captain.
The home side go 1-0 up in the five-match series and continue their 35-year unbeaten run against England in Brisbane.
England have now lost 10 of their past 11 Tests in Australia and won only one of 10 matches since they beat India in the first Test in February.
With England needing to win the series in order to regain the Ashes, Root’s side have almost no margin for error in the remaining four Tests.
The second Test in Adelaide, a day-night match played with a pink ball, begins on Thursday.
England captain Joe Root, speaking at the post-match presentation: “It’s frustration. We worked hard to get back in the game. We hoped to post some sort of total today. The pitch was a little uneven and cracks were appearing. but we couldn’t get through that initial phase.
“Our selection? It’s easy to say with hindsight. We wanted variation in our attack, move through different gears. I thought our bowlers were excellent, but we have to be better in the field. Likewise with the bat.
“We showed fight and character for some of the second innings and know where we have to improve.”
Australia captain Pat Cummins: “I am really proud of everyone. It was a complete performance. The bowlers did their thing on day one, Marnus and Davey with their big partnership, and the way Trav (Head) played is the sign of a positive, brave side.
“I was really happy with how everyone stuck to it [on day three]. We turned up today knowing we were ahead of the game.
“Trav can take the game away within a couple of hours. Everything we say to Trav is go out and play your own way. He has a bright future ahead.”