Mitchell Starc made a late-career bid for all-rounder status when he scored a half-century and grabbed two wickets under the Gabba floodlights to push Australia to the brink of victory at the close of day three of the second Ashes test on Saturday.

Another frenetic day of Ashes action felt like a case of bizarro world in Brisbane as Australia's batters Bazballed their way through an extraordinary three sessions, going to stumps at 6-378 with a lead of 44.

Follow along to our live coverage of day two of the second Ashes test here.Australia dodged a bullet for their painfully slow over rate on day one of the Gabba Test – avoiding potential ICC penalties only by dismissing England so early on day two.

Opening batters Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett gave England cheer after a miserable day in the field as they raced to 45 without loss to trim Australia's lead to 132 runs on day three of the second Ashes test in Brisbane on Saturday.

England will be praying for a Ben Stokes miracle to somehow avoid defeat in this second NRMA Insurance Ashes Test after Australia's own magic man Mitchell Starc again stamped his mark on an absorbing day three at the Gabba.