England may find it difficult to win the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, if history is anything to go by. The visitors are currently trailing 1-0 after a defeat to Australia at Perth’s Optus Stadium last week.

The opening match of the series saw Ben Stokes’s side lose by eight wickets, with the game wrapping up within two days. Now, England must gear up to face Australia at The Gabba for the second Test, where the odds are stacked against them.

Historically, visiting teams have struggled to beat Australia at The Gabba, with England finding it particularly tough to overcome the home side at their renowned ‘fortress’.

In fact, the last time an England team clinched victory at The Gabba during an Ashes Test match was back in 1986, under the leadership of Mike Gatting, which led to a memorable 2-1 series win.

The closest England have come to a significant victory in Brisbane recently was in 2010 when Sir Andrew Strauss led the team to a draw.

Australia maintained an unbeaten streak at the fearsome venue from 1988 until 2020, when India claimed victory. Since then, the home side have lost two out of their last four Tests at The Gabba, which might provide a little glimmer of hope for England.

The second Test will also be a day-night match, featuring the pink ball instead of the standard red ball.

When asked about the use of the pink ball in the second Test, England’s No.4 and former captain, Joe Root, confessed that he would not have chosen to make the switch.

“It does add to things,” Root said in an interview with BBC Sport. “It’s successful and popular here, and Australia have got a good record here as well. You can see why we’re playing one of those games.

“Ultimately, you know from two years out it is going to be there. It’s part and parcel of making sure you’re ready for it. A series like this, does it need it? I don’t think so, but it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be here either.”

England’s track record in day-night Tests is somewhat mixed, as well, with only two victories from seven attempts. This includes three losses in Australia, but Stokes and his team are optimistic for a change in fortune this time.

Australia, on the other hand, boasts an impressive record in day-night matches, having won 13 of their 14 worldwide. However, England may find some solace in Australia’s last day-night match – which ended in a defeat to the West Indies last year – also at The Gabba.