London, Aug. 17 -- Australia batsman Steve Smith was dismissed just short of his third straight century of the Ashes series after briefly retiring hurt after being struck on his neck by a hostile delivery from England paceman Jofra Archer on Saturday.

Smith made a battling 92 at Lord's before Australia was bowled out for 250 on Day 4 of the second test, eight runs behind England's first-innings total. Tea was taken at the end of Australia's innings.

In a gripping middle session at the home of cricket, Archer produced an intimidating spell of bowling - his deliveries reached speeds of up to 96 miles per hour (154 kph) - to pepper Australia's batsmen, with Smith the primary target.

The most alarming incident saw Archer knock Smith, who w...