Infotainment Factory: 'Spit it out': Stump mic reveals another fiery verbal clash

Steve Smith and Jofra Archer reignited their rivalry in the final moments of the second Test at the Gabba, but stump mic audio has since revealed there was another verbal battle going on at the other end.

While Smith and Archer exchanged pleasantries with Australia only needing 24 runs to win the match, England captain Ben Stokes and Smith's batting partner Jake Weatherald were snipping at each other as well.

The Archer v Smith battle naturally took centre stage, with the quick cranking it up at over 150km/h and Smith looking to clear the boundary, with verbal fireworks in between.

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However, there was also another slanging match going on while the match cameras were fixed on Archer and Smith.

Opener Jake Weatherald and Ben Stokes were also involved in a heated discussion, when the the Test rookie also took issue with Archer's bowling.

"Spit it out if you're going to say something," Weatherald told Archer as he confronted Smith.

"Finally rocked up."

Stokes took issue with Weatherald's involvement in the chatter, pointing to the amount of confidence the rookie exhibited.

"You got 70 and started chatting," he said, referring to the Aussie's first-innings score of 72.

Weatherald replied: "I was only saying something because you were saying something now."

Stokes: "I say it with a smile on my face, though, Jake."

Weatherald's involvement has drawn praise, with pundits claiming that it showed he was growing comfortable at Test level.

The two-Test opener is gathering support to continue his opening combination with Travis Head for the final three Tests, even if Usman Khawaja proves his fitness in time to be considered for the third Test in Adelaide.

His ease at the crease, even when things got fiery, play in his favour in an Ashes series that will have its testy moments.

But it was captain Smith who lit the fuse after he took umbrage at Archer's chatter with Australia's win a fait accompli late on Sunday.

Jofra Archer of England and Australia captain Steve Smith exchange words

"(You) bowl faster when there's nothing going on, champion," Smith was overheard saying to Archer on the stump mic in Brisbane.

It was revealed later that the Smith was responding to Archer's claim that the star batter only "likes to play shots when there's not much on the scoreboard".

Archer would proceed to bowl two fiery bouncers at Smith in excess of 150km/h in successive balls. Both were dispatched to the boundary, for six and four respectively.

It was the most tension we have seen in the Ashes so far and just moments later, Smith hit the winning runs, racing to 23 off nine balls before celebrating emphatically.

"I've never seen him this animated," Kerry O'Keeffe told Fox Cricket.

The pair have history, with the English quick concussing the Aussie during the 2019 Ashes - but the star bowler still has never dismissed Smith, as he pointed out on social media two years ago after the word "terrorised" was used to describe their rivalry.

Smith was coy on the exchange when asked about it post-match.

"(What was said) stays on the field. It was good banter. He's a good competitor. Good fun," the 36-year-old said.

Archer, likely knowing he would only have to bowl one spell, gave it everything he had in the final session, sending down rocket after rocket at maximum speed.

England legend Michael Vaughan hopes the quick can take all the energy from that spell and the Smith confrontation and take it with him to Adelaide for the third Test.

"Great theatre, but I'll be honest, I want to see Jofra bowling like this on the first morning in Adelaide," Vaughan told Fox Cricket.

"(If) England are in the field that first morning, I want to see him run in and bowl 150.

"England are struggling to get 20 wickets. They got 12 in Perth and got 12 here, he's the one bowler that can crack open an opportunity for England from the first ball, not when you're defending 65 and the lights are on and you're only going to bowl four overs."

Australian legend Ricky Ponting was incredibly savage himself in commentary as the exchange was unfolding between Smith and Archer.

"Jofra's finally come to life. When the second Test match is gone he starts chirping. Too late for that, champ," the former Aussie captain said on Seven.

"That's what Smithy said to him as well. Bowling quick now when the game's over, good onya. Now they're all getting started. Too late boys.

"You've had your chance for four days. Haven't been good enough, too late to start."

- with Sacha Mirzabegian