Dec 7 : Australia captain Steve Smith downplayed his fiery exchange with Jofra Archer at the Gabba as "good banter" after letting his bat deliver the final riposte in the first major flashpoint of the Ashes on Sunday.

Australia cruised to an eight‑wicket victory to take a 2-0 lead in the series, but a frustrated Archer added spice to the final session with a verbal clash with the man he floored at Lord's with a short ball two years ago.

After Smith missed an attempted ramp-shot at the Gabba, Archer confronted Smith mid-pitch and fired a few heated words.

The captain shot back: "You bowl fast when there's nothing going on, champion."

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