Australia's stranglehold on the Ashes series has tightened, with the hosts on the cusp of taking a commanding 2-0 lead after another dominant display at Brisbane's Gabba. England, facing a massive 177-run deficit and resuming at 6-134, are staring down the barrel of a heavy defeat, with their tactical shortcomings laid bare by one of their own.
Broad's Blunt Assessment of England's Bowling 'Vacuum'
Watching from the sidelines, former England pace spearhead Stuart Broad delivered a damning critique of his old team's leadership void. Speaking on the 'For the Love of Cricket' wrap of Day 3, Broad highlighted the absence of retired veterans Chris Woakes and Jimmy Anderson as a pivotal factor.
"I feel like this group... they've been used to having a Woakes in there being able to calm things down, know how the theatre of Test cricket works," Broad said. He pointed to the relative inexperience of the current attack—Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, and Brydon Carse—noting they "don't strike me as real tacticians of the game."
Broad observed a critical lack of communication and collective problem-solving in the field. "They're not getting together and sharing ideas... It looks to Stokes, and Stokes has got to make all the decisions," he explained, emphasising the immense physical and mental burden on the all-rounder captain.
Stokes Left Carrying the Load as Pressure Mounts
According to Broad, this is the first time Ben Stokes has captained a bowling attack without an experienced head to offer on-field suggestions. "He's bowling, he's pouring with sweat, he's cramping and he looks like he's taking so much on," Broad described, painting a picture of a leader isolated in his duties.
This leadership vacuum was further exposed off the field at the end of a gruelling day. Instead of a player or the head coach, it was assistant coach Marcus Trescothick who fronted the mandatory post-day press conference. Broad called this a telling sign of a team in disarray. "It's always a big sign... that you've had a bad day as a team," he remarked.
Australia in Firm Control as Normal Service Resumes in Brisbane
After a fast-paced day-night Test in Perth, the Gabba has reverted to a traditional, grinding Test match. England's first-innings total of 334, boosted by a last-wicket stand of 70, was swiftly put into perspective by Australia's batting depth.
Five Australian batsmen scored between 61 and 77 runs, collaboratively building a formidable first-innings lead of 177. With England's second innings in tatters at stumps on Day 3, only Stokes and Will Jacks remain to stave off the prospect of an innings defeat when play resumes on Day 4 at 2pm local time (3pm AEDT).
The situation has prompted fierce criticism from other England legends, with some describing the performance as a "humiliation" and expressing concern over lasting "psychological damage" for the touring side. As Australia eyes a decisive victory, the questions surrounding England's strategy and support for their captain are growing louder by the hour.
