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NEW DELHI: Steve Smith pulled off a superb reflex catch to shift momentum just before Ben Stokes’ gritty half-century came undone amid a late collapse on Sunday, and later struck the winning runs in the second Test to hand Australia a 2-0 Ashes advantage.

Also WATCH: Steve Smith pulls off impossible catch out of thin air - Gabba crowd left shocked

A day defined by captains

Chasing a target of 65 after England were dismissed for 241 in their second innings, Australia stormed to an eight-wicket win within 10 overs across a brief interval, even as storms loomed in the distance.

Jofra Archer cranked up speeds near 150 kph under the lights, only motivating Smith further.

There were heated exchanges as the Australia captain encouraged Archer to bowl faster after evading a bouncer. Smith then ramped him for four and followed it up with a six to cross 1,000 Test runs at the Gabba.

With Australia on 63-2 and only two runs needed, Smith sealed the win with another six, ending unbeaten on 23 off just nine balls. Jake Weatherald remained not out on 17.

Gus Atkinson claimed the wickets of Travis Head (22) and Marnus Labuschagne (3) as Australia chased quick runs.

England’s tactical problems

England’s selections and execution came under scrutiny once again — inconsistent lengths with the ball, dropped catches and yet another top-order stumble while trying to score quickly.

Still, there was brief optimism on a bright Sunday afternoon at the Gabba as Stokes embraced a more traditional Test approach to give England a slender lead.

Bazball put aside

England captain Stokes shelved Bazball, choosing instead a patient, methodical rebuild to keep his team alive in the series.

Resuming at 134-6, England took an hour and 36 minutes — 18.2 overs — to erase the first-innings deficit.

Australia maintained disciplined lines and lengths, mixing in short balls to tempt England’s batters away from their cautious plans.

Stokes and Will Jacks (41) held firm through the entire first session, aware that one wicket would expose the tail. It was a sharp contrast to England’s high-risk style that has drawn widespread criticism in the opening Tests.

Their 96-run stand carried England close to the night session, but that changed when Smith, leading in Pat Cummins’ absence, dived left at slip to take a stunning one-hander off Michael Neser and remove Jacks.

That moment shifted everything. England lost 4 for 17 and were bowled out for 241, with Neser finishing with a five-wicket haul.

Stokes falls after hard-fought fifty

Stokes reached his fifty off 148 balls — the second-slowest of his career, trailing only the 152-ball half-century he made during his famous Headingley heroics in 2019.

But this time there was no miracle. The 34-year-old edged behind to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who had come up to the stumps against Neser.

Stokes looked stunned as he walked off, twirling his bat and tapping his helmet in frustration.

By then, England were 227-8. Brendan Doggett removed Atkinson to make it 231-9, with Smith safely pouching that catch. Neser (5-42) and Smith combined again to dismiss Brydon Carse for 7 and end the innings.

Australia had wrapped up the series opener on Day 2. At least the second Test stretched deeper into Day 4.

What’s next in the Ashes

The third Test begins December 17 at the Adelaide Oval, where England must win to keep the Ashes alive. The fourth Test starts on Boxing Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, followed by the fifth Test in Sydney from January 4.

(With AP Inputs)