Archer double, Stokes ton put England on top in Ashes Test

LONDON, Aug 19 (AFP): Jofra Archer took two wickets and struck Test cricket's first concussion substitute, Marnus Labuschagne on the grille of his helmet as England pushed for an unlikely series-levelling victory in the second Ashes clash at Lord's on Sunday.

Australia were 46-2 in their second innings at tea on the final day of the second Test.

That left them needing 221 more runs in a minimum of 35 overs to reach an unlikely victory target of 267.

Test debutant Archer also struck Steve Smith on the neck with a rapid bouncer during the star batsman's 92 on Saturday.

Smith was passed fit to resume his innings on Saturday but further tests on Sunday sidelined him with concussion.

Now there are doubts over Smith's availability for the third Test at Headingley starting Thursday, with an Australia spokesman saying the "short turnaround is not in his favour".

Australia, bidding for their first Ashes campaign triumph on English soil in 18 years, lead the five-match series 1-0 after a 251-run win at Edgbaston last week.

In that match, former captain Smith marked his first Test since completing a 12-month ban for his role in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa with superb innings of 144 and 142.

Under new protocols introduced for the inaugural World Test Championship, Australia could replace Smith with a full, batting substitute in Labuschagne.

World Cup-winning fast bowler Archer also took an impressive 2-59 in 29 overs on Saturday and the 24-year-old Sussex quick was in the wickets again on Sunday with two for two in seven balls.

David Warner's miserable series continued when the left-hander fell for five-his fourth single-figure in as many innings-when he edged Archer to Rory Burns in the slips.

And Australia were 19-2 when Usman Khawaja was caught behind off a fine ball just outside off stump for two.

Archer's first ball to Labuschagne, a bouncer that sailed over the batsman's head, was called wide.