Australia wallop England in pink-ball Test for 2-0 Ashes lead

New Delhi: Australia maintained their dominance in pink-ball Tests with an eight-wicket victory in the fourth day of the second match of the Ashes series in Brisbane on Sunday.

Set a target of 65 runs, Australia reached it after loss of two wickets with Steve Smith not out on 23 and opener Jake Weatehrland unbeaten on 17 as the hosts took a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Seamer Michael Neser turned out to be Australia’s unlikely hero as England succumbed to his pace blitz and excellent catching of Steve Smith.

The 35-year-old Neser claimed 5-42 in his first Rest in three years to leave the home side only 65 runs to win the day-night match at the Gabba.

It was England’s 15th Test defeat in 17 matches in Australia as match ended after the dinner break.

Smith, Australia’s stand-in captain for the injured Pat Cummins, sealed their victory with a six off Gus Atkinson over deep square as 27,888 home fans roared, after an altercation with England seamer Jofra Archer in the middle before smashing for two fours and a six.

"Archer was obviously bowling pretty quick and there was a short boundary behind me," said Smith.

"I thought I would try to get hold of a few, particularly as I heard there was a storm coming so I wanted to get things done.

"What I said to Archer stays on the field. It was good banter. He is a good competitor and comes hard at you."

England skipper Ben Stokes described their loss as "very disappointing" but refused to concede that they have surrended the urn with three matches left.

"A lot comes down to not being able to stand up to the pressure of this game. (We) need to think harder mentally, and show more fight," he said, after a batting 50 off 152 balls in the second innings.

The third match will be held in Adelaide and England will be aware that only one team have fought back from 2-0 down to win a series in nearly 150 years of Tests.