Starc sends woeful England sliding towards second loss

England (134/6) trail Australia by 43 runs: The tourists are facing a 2-0 Ashes series deficit after a Brisbane battering

- RORY DOLLARD

England suffered another dose of despair at the Gabba as Australia moved in for the kill on day three of the second Ashes Test.

The tourists were a distant second best in every way as they hobbled to the brink of a loss that would leave them 2-0 down with three to play. Their hopes of reclaiming the urn were fading faster than ever as they faded to 134 for six, still 43 adrift.

It was abject viewing at a ground that has become synonymous with English heartache, Australia’s tailenders grinding the visiting attack into the Brisbane dirt.

Their last three wickets put on 128 runs as England’s weary bowlers struggled to make a dent against a lower order who were taunting them with their mere presence.

In building a total of 511 and a lead of 177, they batted just long enough to use up the last of the natural light, then set about chopping down opponents who were unable to show the same diligence and dedication.

After an opening stand of 48, the wickets tumbled with an air of desperate inevitability, Zak Crawley’s 44 both a top score and a mirage.

None of the England batters came close to the 77 runs scored by Australia’s No 9 Mitchell Starc and none ever looked like occupying the crease as long as the 72 balls faced by No 10 Scott Boland, who boasts a Test average of 7.54.