Ponting has pop at Archa after loss

ENGLAND face an almighty battle to salvage their Ashes campaign after slumping to yet another grisly defeat in the second Test at the Gabba.

- By RORY DOLLARD PA cricket writer in Brisbane

They resumed on day four with hope all but extinguished after a feeble batting display the night before and were unable to do anything more than delay Australia’s eight-wicket march towards a 2-0 series lead.

For the 10th time in a row they were cut down to size in Australia’ Brisbane stronghold, where they last tasted victory almost four decades ago.

Resuming 43 behind and six down, captain Ben Stokes and all-rounder Will Jacks banished the worst excesses of ‘Bazball’ as they dropped anchor for almost three hours.

JOFRA Archer was ridiculed by former Australia captain Ricky Ponting for a fiery bowling spell and a clash with Steve Smith as England's fate in the second Ashes Test was already sealed.

A fired-up Archer exceeded 93mph and reignited a long-running duel with Smith, who was famously struck on the helmet in the Lord's 2019 Ashes Test by the England paceman's bouncer and missed the next match with concussion, during Australia’s paltry chase of 65 in Brisbane.

The pair exchanged tense words with each other but it was Smith, who has never been dismissed by Archer in Tests, who won the day as he hooked the quick for six en route to 23 not out off nine balls.