Steve Smith breaks his silence after heated Ashes exchange with Jofra Archer

England are 2-0 down and Australia are on the brink of retaining the Ashes after an emphatic win at the Gabba in Brisbane

Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith has broken his silence after a heated exchange with England pace bowler Jofra Archer during the final session of play at the Gabba. The tourists needed to bowl the Aussies out for under 64 runs but did so with ease and Smith hit the winning runs for the second Test in a row.

Australia were 41-2 when Smith came to the crease and powered on to victory with the skipper hitting an impressive 23 runs off just nine deliveries. He hit two huge sixes and two fours in that time, knocking Archer around the ground for 15 runs off just five deliveries.

It was during a heated over at the Gabba where the two players were involved in a heated exchange. Archer was visibly annoyed having been hit to the boundary for four by Smith.

READ MORE: Ashes player ratings: Joe Root’s century not enough as England crumble vs Australia at the Gabba

The Aussie skipper let his batting do the talking and smashed Archer to deep fine leg and over the boundary for six. England’s bowlers had been battered and left bruised by their experience at the Gabba.

Smith hit another six in the following over to wrap up the game and give Australia a commanding 2-0 lead heading into the next Test in Adelaide.

When asked what was said to Archer in the middle, Smith said: “That stays on the field. It was good banter. He’s a good competitor and comes hard at you so it was good fun.”

It was a clear sign of frustration from the England pace bowler, having struggled with the pink ball throughout the second Test.

Archer wasn’t alone with England’s bowling attack nowhere near their best like we saw on day one in Perth, which now seems like a long time ago.

England set the hosts a total of 334 to chase down, after Joe Root notched 134* not out in the first innings, which they did comfortably with 511 runs on the board after big knocks from Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Smith, Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc.

The Three Lions needed to make the most of wicket that looked tailor made for batting, but ended day three 43 runs behind on 134-6.

Ben Stokes and Will Jacks showed some late fight, but it was too little too late as Australia bowled England out for 241.

Travis Head and Weatherald put a quick dint in the chase before Smith came to the crease and smashed the ball round the ground.

He said: “It just felt right to play a few shots. He was obviously bowling quick and I thought I’d hit a few up and try to get hold of a couple. I tried to finish it quick.

“There’s a bit of a storm coming round so wanted to get it done by playing a few shots. High percentage with the short boundary behind me so wanted to take it on.

“I thought the boys played exceptionally well. Our first innings batting the tail were unbelievable. The bottom four batted for 53 overs or something like that which allowed us to get into the dark last night and to take six wickets got us front of the game.

“Will Jacks and Ben Stokes had a good partnership today and you never know what would happen if Stokesy is still at the crease.”

England know anything less than a win in Adelaide will see Australia retain the Ashes, with the first day of the third Test getting underway on December 17.

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