The Ashes: Recap day four of Second Test as Australia close in on victory against England

England coach Brendon McCullum has made the bizarre claim that England overprepared for the second Ashes Test after another eight-wicket drubbing.

Here’s the lowdown on Steve Smith’s exchange with Jofra Archer.

England’s coach - the man who Bazball is named after - spoke to Seven post-match, and provided a quote that will raise some eyebrows...

“Leading into this Test match, I actually think we overprepared, to be honest.”

Here’s the context of the words:

... is Mitchell Starc, unsurprisingly.

Neser made a late push with his five-for today, and Joe Root’s unbeaten century was superb, but realistically, no one was coming close to Starc.

The veteran left-armer set up the win with two wickets inside the match’s first three overs on Thursday, took six-for in that innings, added two more scalps in the second dig including the key one of Root, and top-scored for the Aussies with a brilliant 77.

A sublime all-round performance. If anyone else claims Player of the Series from here, their final three matches of this series will be a sight to behold.

While Steve Smith didn’t want to expand on what was said between him and Jofra Archer, Seven’s microphones picked it up:

It’s set to add even more spice to the rivalry when the sides resume hostilities in Adelaide 10 days from now... though England simply don’t have the play to back up any words at the moment.

Ben Stokes says there will be some chats behind closed doors after another crushing defeat.

“It’s very disappointing,” he said post match.

“A lot of it is to do with not being able to stand up to the pressure of this game, this format when the game is on the line.

“In small passages we’ve been able to bring the game back under some kind of control but then we’ve let it slip away and we’ve done that here this week.

“It’s very, very disappointing, particularly with the ability of players we have in that dressing room.

“I think we need to think a little bit harder and little bit deeper about those moments and what we are taking mentality into that and overall show a bit more fight when it’s needed.”

Steve Smith didn’t reveal what was said in the middle, but it’s fair to say he enjoyed that over against Jofra Archer, who has still never dismissed him in Test Cricket.

“It just felt like a chance to play a few shots,” Smith said post-game.

“He was obviously bowling pretty quick to the short boundary behind and I thought I’d try and hit a few up and get a hold of a couple.

“We were in a nice spot there and tried to finish it quick.

“That stays on the field but nah, it was good banter. He’s a good competitor, he comes hard at you and it’s good fun.”

Steve Smith hits the winning runs again!

This time, he smokes a short ball over square leg for six!

Australia win by eight wickets again.

Weatherald has been watching the show but drives one down the ground for four to join the party!

AUS 2-62, needing 3

Archer is having words with Smith bowling short balls but Smith fires back and reminds him he’s only bowling fast becuase the game is over.

Smith hits two fours and six and there’s two balls to come!

AUS 2-56, needing 9