"This isn't even a competition" - Fans brutally troll England after eight-wicket thrashing against Australia in 2nd Ashes 2025-26 Test

Australia completed a clinical eight-wicket win over England at The Gabba, Brisbane, on Day 4 (Sunday, December 7) of the second Ashes 2025-26 Test. With the victory in the Pink-ball Test, the hosts took a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

After electing to bat first, England were bowled out for 334. Joe Root was the top performer with the bat for the visitors as he notched up his maiden Test ton on Australian soil.

The ace batter remained unbeaten on 138 off 206 balls, while opener Zak Crawley contributed 76 runs from 93 balls. Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc continued his stunning form, bagging a six-wicket haul.

Australia took a 177 first-innings lead, registering an impressive total of 511. Starc (77 off 141), Jake Weatherald (72 off 78), Marnus Labuschagne (65 off 78), Alex Carey (63 off 69), and Steve Smith (61 off 85) hit half-centuries. Fast bowler Brydon Carse was the pick of the English bowlers, with four wickets.

England put in a disappointing batting display in the subsequent essay. They were bundled out for just 241, setting a modest 65-run target. Skipper Ben Stokes played a crucial 50-run knock from 152 deliveries, while seamer Michael Neser claimed his maiden Test fifer.

Australia chased the target comfortably, with Smith (23 off 9) finishing unbeaten. Several fans trolled Ben Stokes and Co. on social media following the humiliating defeat.

Here are some of the top reactions on X:

OCD Dude

@vipiny4u

For England it's 2-3 years of Planning, 25 odd interviews by Coaches-Captain-CEO about upcoming Ashes, 50 podcasts English media & then losing series potentially in 10-12-odd Cricketing days 🤭 And then repeat again for next Ashes Cycle 😂😅 #AUSvENG #AUSvsENG #ashes25

mao 🇦🇺

@freemaowtf

we need another country to replace england for the #Ashes cause this isn’t even a competition

Cricket tweets

@_ShaneCricket

The legacy of this England team will be: Unlikeable Unwinable But Stokes & Baz will be ok with it as they stuck to the "brand" of cricket they wanted to play #ashes25 #Ashes

Dave Wikinson

@reddevil100

England have been so poor in both the ashes tests so far . Australia have hardly had to break sweat. No fight. Poor with the bat. Catches dropped everywhere. You do worry this be 5 nil whitewash. #ashes.

BlueNoseBear⚽️🏏🐻💙

@YouBearsssssss

Another shocking performance down under from England!! Its Embarrassing😬This is an Australia without Cummins/Hazlewood and we've been THRASHED in Both Tests🤬The Ashes are gone.... no coming back from 2-0 Down!!!🙄 #Ashes #Ashes2025 #TheAshes

Devaine

@Stoic_Deva

@mufaddal_vohra england’s batting looks so lost they might need google maps to find a win

Starc was adjudged the Player of the Match for his all-rounder heroics. Notably, he won the award in the opening encounter as well for taking 10 wickets across two innings.

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"Need to think harder mentally, and show more fight" - England captain Ben Stokes opens up on eight-wicket loss at The Gabba

Speaking in the post-match presentation, England skipper Ben Stokes expressed his disappointment at ending up on the losing side. He emphasized the importance of handling pressure well in crunch moments.

Hoping to see his team show more fight in the remaining fixtures, Stokes said (via ESPNcricinfo):

"Very disappointing. A lot comes down to not being able to stand up to the pressure of this game, this format. We've let the control slip away in small passages, very disappointing given the ability of the players in that dressing-room, need to think harder mentally, and show more fight."

The Ben Stokes-led side will look to come up with an improved performance in the upcoming must-win third Test. The match kicks off at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, on December 17.