• ‘Jofra Archer will be in Joe Root’s ear when Smith comes in’
• Archer eager for round two with Australia’s top batsman

Steve Smith has been told to expect a brutal return to the Test arena on Wednesday with Jofra Archer said to be eager for round two of their Ashes duel.

Smith was an onlooker for Australia’s one-wicket defeat in the third Test at Headingley owing to the lingering effects of concussion that resulted from Archer’s short-ball barrage at Lord’s. Three weeks on from that blow to the neck, with the series locked at 1-1 after the heroics of Ben Stokes, the right-hander will be restored to the side for the fourth Test at Old Trafford.