'Vile and abusive': Aussie fans in shameful Ashes controversy

Two Australian spectators have reportedly been evicted from Old Trafford for verbally abusing England paceman Jofra Archer.

According to the UK’s Daily Telegraph, the two spectators used “foul and abusive” language to taunt Archer while he fielded on day one of the fourth Test.

‘SHOULD BE BANNED’: Cricket fans rage over Ashes 'joke'

The pair were reportedly taunting Archer over his Barbados heritage, prompting complaints from nearby spectators.

"Among the insults shouted at Archer were 'Jofra show us your passport' and other references to his Barbados heritage," the newspaper reported.

"Other supporters sitting close to the two men complained to stewards but eventually went to the police as it escalated.

"Archer did not respond to the abuse but looked angered by the comments."

A spokesman said the ground has a “zero tolerance approach to abusive behaviour in the stands”.

Archer was born in Barbados but moved to England when he was young, qualifying to represent his adopted country.

England toil on rain-affected day

An unbeaten Steve Smith is eyeing another ton and remains "one step ahead" of England, having picked up where he left off while marching Australia to 3-170 at stumps.

Smith, who finished 60 not out after Tim Paine opted to bat on Wednesday, frustrated the hosts with the help of some wet and windy weather.

The start of the post-lunch session, which featured gusts so strong that umpires briefly opted to play without bails because they kept falling off, was delayed by 140 minutes because of heavy rain.

The showers returned at tea, prompting umpires to abandon hope of further play on day one.

Smith, playing his first Test since suffering a delayed concussion that forced him to miss day five at Lord's then the entire third Test, donned a clip-on neck guard for the first time in a match.

But otherwise there was no discernible change, as the former skipper vowed would be the case after being struck on the neck by a Archer bouncer at the home of cricket.

The superstar, who reclaimed top spot on the International Cricket Council's batting charts from Virat Kohli on match eve despite his stint on the sidelines, ducked bouncers and scored freely alongside Marnus Labuschagne in a 116-run stand.

Smith and Labuschagne (67) steadied after Stuart Broad removed both openers in a superb opening spell.

Recalled paceman Craig Overton snapped the partnership with a cracking delivery, which swung in then seamed off the deck and clipped the top of Labuschagne's off stump, to leave the game in the balance as both teams hunt a 2-1 series lead.

Smith, as was the case in the opening two Tests, remains the key.

with AAP