Replying to Australia's 497/8 declared, England finished Day 2 on 23/1 and with any hope of victory virtually extinguished.

Steve Smith's heroics helped Australia post a dominating 497/8 dec in first innings, leaving them favorites to claim a win and guarantee to retain the urn.

With another show of resilience and class, Steve Smith surpassed Virat Kohli's tally of Test centuries.

Steve Smith took just two Test matches to move past Virat Kohli at the top of the ICC Test rankings for batsmen after returning from his one-year ball-tampering ban.

Australian batsman Steve Smith has reclaimed the no.1 spot in the latest Test rankings, while Team India's skipper Virat Kohli has dropped to the second position.

Marnus Labuschagne is expected to take Usman Khawaja Khawaja's No. 3 position in the batting order with Steve Smith to slot back into his customary No. 4.

Smith is expected to return for the fourth Test starting from September 4 after England rode Ben Stokes' epic 135 not out to level the five-match series 1-1.

Jofra Archer has been on fire in this year's Ashes and has been bowling with pace and purpose for England against the Australians.

On Day Four of the Lord's Test, Steve Smith retired hurt on 80 after being hit on the neck by a 92.4 mph delivery from Jofra Archer.

Steve Smith has been ruled out of the third Test at Headingley in Leeds with a concussion but Archer it seems is set to give the fans a glimpse of the unorthodox yet effective Smith in Leeds.

Marnus Labuschagne, who came in as Test cricket's first concussion substitute and impressed with the bat at Lord's, is all but sure to take Steve Smith's place in the playing XI.

Many fans offered him a standing ovation at Lord's for his brave efforts but an audible contingent booed at and jeered Smith both times, when he was withdrawn and when he returned.

With a turnaround time of three days between the two Tests, it was always going to be a tough one for Smith to be ready in time and recover from concussion.  

Australian batsman Steve Smith has been ruled out of the third Ashes hit, following a concussion-injury during the fourth day of second Test.

Smith complained of headaches on Saturday and was ruled out of the remainder of the 2nd Test on Sunday after displaying concussion symptoms.

Australian PM further termed Smith "a champion" and said he is expecting the 30-year-old to answer his "hecklers" with bat and ball in hand to bring home the Ashes.

Archer lighted up Lord's on his Test debut with some hostile fast bowling. He took five wickets across two innings and peppered the Australian batsmen with short deliveries that clattered against their helmets and bodies.

Steve Smith was ruled out of the final day of the Ashes Test with a concussion, and Tim Paine said that it was too early to make a call on his participation in the Headingley Test.

Australian batsman Steve Smith talked about the incident during the Lord's test and provided an update over the current status of his fitness. 

Cricket Australia says Smith, who was hit on the side of the neck by a vicious delivery from England paceman Jofra Archer on Saturday, woke with a "bit of a headache and a feeling of grogginess."