Ben Stokes and Will Jacks in surprising Ashes first at The Gabba

Ben Stokes and Will Jacks achieved an Ashes first as they looked to save England at The Gabba in Brisbane.

After two shambolic days, the duo were trying to bat for as long as they possibly could and achieved the longest partnership of the series.

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The visitors trailed by close to 180 when they started their second innings.

After a decent start between Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, things quickly unravelled from there, though.

They were reduced to 128-6 by the end of day three, but Jacks and Stokes were at the crease for a long time, and after they surpassed 27.2 overs, the duo officially became the longest partnership of this Ashes series.

They managed to put England into the lead, but they’ve both now fallen.

The pair did everything they could to bat sensibly and for time, but with the partnership close to 100, Jacks was caught.

He was removed thanks to a stunning Steve Smith catch to edge Australia closer to victory.

Stokes then went shortly after a long and patient innings from the captain, but Alex Carey produced an excellent catch standing up behind the stumps to get rid of the captain.

Bazball with brains

Crawley and Ollie Pope were very much guilty of throwing their wickets away on a good pitch.

They were both dismissed caught and bowled on the drive.

This opened up the England middle order to the Aussies, and they quickly claimed a cluster of wickets to seemingly put the Test beyond England.

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However, Jacks and Stokes batted very sensibly until Smith took what you would describe as a quarter chance because Jacks didn’t push at the delivery from Michael Neser.

It is not as if he was flashing hard at a delivery or anything like that, it was a defensive shot that was brilliantly snatched.

And unfortunately for England, Stokes has now gone as well.

We all know that ‘Bazball’ is about the England players being able to have the freedom to play their shots.

But it was so good to see Stokes and Jacks play the situation with no unnecessary risks.

Jacks fell for 41 from 92 balls, and Stokes reached his 50 from 148 balls just showing how he decided to play the situation, scoring only four boundaries.

Series over

Just when England needed their captain, Stokes stood up to be counted.

But despite his efforts, they look to be in vain because of his teammates before him throwing their wickets away.

Jacks proved to be the perfect partner for Stokes, but it proved to be a piece of hope that once again turned to nothing.

The lead was just 64 and they are staring a 2-0 deficit in the face.