The Ashes 2025-26: Ben Stokes leads England’s fight on day four against Australia

England finally showed they could change their approach by batting in the first session on the fourth day of the second Ashes Test, prompting Australia to require their second innings.

After a poor performance on the third evening, England started the fourth day in Brisbane with a 134-6 lead, 43rd behind the home team.

But skipper Ben Stokes set the example for his team-mates with a careful and unbroken partnership of 65 alongside number eight Will Jacks.

Stokes, who started the day with four from 24 balls, made 36 from 112 balls at the break. The Jacks went from four for nine to 25 for 66.

England fought back to 193-6 with a lead of 16 runs. While Stokes-Jack’s ability to adapt to the situation was welcome, it made England’s senior capitulation on Saturday evening all the more frustrating.

Stokes and Jacks compiled England’s longest partnership of the series, with scores of 26.3 overs.

This was the first session in which a wicket did not fall in the opening two Tests.

Stokes’ determination was reminiscent of the start of his epic match-winning strike at Headingley in 2019.

At a score rate of 2.45 an over, this seventh-wicket partnership was the slowest of England’s 164-over-50 stand since Stokes became captain in 2022.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan wrote of X: “Loved this approach from England. Great session of play.”

With the front-line seamers repulsed, Australia turned to part-time bowlers Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne before lunch.

A second new pink ball will be available in the second session in Australia, which is likely to arrive once the floodlights come into play in the day-night Test.

“For the first time, Australia’s bowlers had to work hard for their wickets,” former England captain Sir Alastair Cook said of TNT Sports.

“They were patient. They were stubborn and determined,” former England bowler Steven Finn said. “They had a clear game plan but they weren’t just standing around. They were capitalizing when Australia’s bowlers missed.

“Obviously they had much better batting conditions but their defense was excellent and they didn’t let the score go anywhere.

“Brendon McCullum was asked this question earlier this year and wanted his team to recognize and adapt to situations in games. We didn’t see enough of that but Stokes and Jacks did that masterfully today. That will please McCullum.”