NEW DELHI: Australia's stand-in captain Steve Smith and England pacer Jofra Archer engaged in a heated verbal duel on the fourth day of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane on Sunday.

The on-field spat kicked off when Archer delivered a short ball and exchanged barbed words with Smith, seemingly aiming to rattle the Australian captain. Smith responded with a sharp retort, telling Archer, "Bowl fast when there's nothing going on, champion."

After Australia's eight-wicket win in the Day-Night Test, which gave them a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, Smith was asked what had triggered him during the on-field spat. The Australian captain left the press room in laughter, dodging the question with a hilarious reply.

"He (Jofra Archer) was bowling good pace. Not really too sure what he said and not sure what I said, either. And it's really none of your business, either (laughs)," Smith said, laughing. "So we'll leave it out there."

Smith had toyed with Archer, smashing two fours and a six during Australia's fourth-innings charge to victory. Looking back on that flurry, he said the adrenaline took control, particularly with the short boundaries tempting him to go big.

"The adrenaline was pumping... we didn't need too many. Jofra was bowling pretty quick, there was a short boundary, so I thought, why not try and put a few in the stands?"

The third Test starts December 17 at the Adelaide Oval with England needing a win to have any chance of reclaiming the Ashes. The fourth Test starts Boxing Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Sydney will host the fifth Test from January 4.