Ashes Second Test Wrap with Code Sports' Daniel Cherny

Australia tighten their grip on the Ashes, and the second test has shifted the series from intrigue to authority. Bazball, once the great disruptor, is now being labelled dead - exposed by pressure, preparation, and a growing gap between the two sides. I sat down with Code Sports' Dan Cherny to unpack what this result really tells us. We break down why England’s fearlessness has faded, how over-training left them under-prepared, and why falling 2–0 behind is historically almost impossible to recover from. We dig into the defining moments that separated the teams: Steve Smith’s calm control of the match, Australia’s ability to limit damage when things weren’t going their way, and why England’s worst periods continue to cost them Tests. Dan also takes us deep on Mitchell Starc’s evolution - how he’s removed the bad balls from his game, why this is no longer high-risk, high-reward bowling, and why he’s now a deserved front-runner for Player of the Series. Plus, we assess Joe Root’s long-awaited Australian hundred, what it means for England going forward, and whether this Ashes is already slipping beyond reach. A sharp, honest review of where the series stands - and why the margin between Australia and England is wider than the scoreline suggests. www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/