What Jonny Bairstow said to Steve Smith to leave Australia batter furious in Ashes Test

Bairstow’s controversial stumping had ignited the Ashes series on the final day of the second Test at Lord’s

(PA)

Tensions flared briefly between Steve Smith and Jonny Bairstow as the Australia batter reacted angrily after being dismissed on the second day of the third Ashes Test.

With Australia looking to build their lead in the evening session, Smith swiped Moeen Ali to midwicket to follow Marnus Labuschagne in falling tamely to England’s off-spinner.

The two wickets in quick succession brought the hosts right back into the game after Ben Stokes had earlier produced an extraordinary blitz to narrow Australia’s first innings advantage to only 26.

The tourists had appeared to be cruising with Usman Khawaja and Labuschagne building a partnership, but the number three slog swept to Harry Brook at deep square leg to give England an opening.

And Moeen’s second strike in consecutive overs, his 200th wicket in Tests, left Australia needing to rebuild.

Smith had begun to wander off before turning his head sharply back towards the middle, exchanging words with England’s wicketkeeper.

“See ya, Smudge,” Bairstow quipped after the dismissal, prompting Smith to pivot and question what had been said.

“I said ‘see you later’,” the wicketkeeper clarified as the batter turned again to continue his walk off.

A competitive Ashes series had been further inflamed at Lord’s by Bairstow’s controversial stumping by Alex Carey at a crucial point on the final day.

The Yorkshireman had earlier missed out on a chance to dole out a dose of revenge with the bat, making only 12 before edging to Smith at second slip off the bowling of Mitchell Starc.