BRISBANE, Australia, Dec 7, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - England captain Ben Stokes and off-spinner Will Jacks led a fighting rearguard action to ensure Australia will have to bat again in the day-night second Ashes Test in Brisbane on Sunday.

At the long tea break England were 193-6, with Stokes unbeaten on 36 and Jacks on 25 after the pair batted patiently through the first session at the Gabba.

Resuming the fourth morning on 134-6, England were staring down the barrel of a second humiliating defeat following their two-day loss in Perth.

Stokes and Jacks defied the Australian pace attack to edge their way past the initial deficit target of 177 and begin to set Australia something to chase.

England batting coach Marcus Trescothick said Saturday his batsmen would not change their aggressive approach, despite a clatter of wickets from poor shots.

But Stokes and Jacks did the exact opposite during the first session Sunday.

They left balls they didn't need to play and seemed happy to take their runs in singles rather than expansive boundary shots.

They scored just 28 runs in the first hour and passed the 43-run deficit 96 minutes into the session, scoring only 59 runs in the two hours.

The Australian bowlers, who ran rampant under lights on Saturday with the pink ball, were far more ineffective on Sunday, despite the wicket beginning to play some tricks.

The English offered only one chance when Scott Boland squared up Stokes, who got a thick edge over the slips cordon.

But otherwise they were largely untroubled and were at least able to give England a tiny ray of hope.