Ashes Third Test, Headingley

Australia lead the series 1-0 after winning the first Test at Edgbaston and drawing at Lord's.

The Aussies will be without former captain and the best batsman in the world after Steve Smith was ruled out with concussion following a Jofra Archer bouncer that struck him on the neck in his first innings at Lord's.

Marnus Labuschagne is expected to fill Smith's spot like he did at Lord's when he entered the fray as Test cricket's first ever concussion substitute where he scored an admirable 59 runs, helping to steer Australia to a draw on the final day.

It's expected that Peter Siddle will drop out of the side to allow for the return of James Pattinson who was rested for the second Test. Mitchell Starc seems destined to remain on drinks duty.

England meanwhile are expected to name an unchanged 11 although they may tinker with the make up of the batting order. Joe Root has struggled at first drop, while Jason Roy has failed to make the switch from opening in the ODI team to becoming a Test opener. Root is expected to move down to four with Joe Denly jumping into the number three position.

Many are talking about the effect of Jofra Archer's entry into Test cricket. Interestingly, his debut performance lands him as just the 312th best bowler on debut with overall figures of 5/91. He need only look across at his opponents in Pat Cummins (7/117) and Josh Hazlewood (7/142) who had better debut figures.

The Headingley pitch is rumoured to be a slow deck that will crumble and break up towards the end of the match. An interesting decision by the ground staff there given Australia's Nathan Lyon has been collecting wickets for fun and spun the English into knots in the first Test.

As always the toss will be important and Tim Paine will be hoping his luck continues. This will likely be a bat first pitch because no one will be looking to bat last on a decaying deck.

Play starts at 8pm AEST tonight so get your picture-in-picture going or set up a second screen to make sure you don't miss the first ball while watching the Eels belt the Dogs.

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Blue Eel replied to Parra fan on The Hill's discussion Jai Arrow - When life puts everything into perspective
"It was absolute gut wrenching watching that. Thoughts are with you Jai and family.
It reinforces to me, that you should live life to its fullest whilst you can and enjoy things that are dear to you. You never know when it's about to be taken."
1 hour ago
LB replied to Parra fan on The Hill's discussion Jai Arrow - When life puts everything into perspective
"Wow Parrafan. Thank you for showing your emotional side. Just shows at the end of the day we are all human and can look out for one another when needed."
1 hour ago
Prof. Daz replied to Parra fan on The Hill's discussion Jai Arrow - When life puts everything into perspective
"Nice blog. All best wishes to Jai Arrow. That press conference was tough to watch. In the end it's just footy, just a game, which it's OK to be passionate about, but no so much that we stop identifying with basically the human condition. "Our"…"
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Parrafan101 replied to Parra fan on The Hill's discussion Jai Arrow - When life puts everything into perspective
"Makes you think how short life really is, when I heard he had MND I broke down. Just feeling for him and his family. Fight hard Jai mate whole parramatta and Rugby League community is with you."
2 hours ago
Hector Bob Down replied to Parra fan on The Hill's discussion Jai Arrow - When life puts everything into perspective
"Very sad news "
3 hours ago
TolEllts replied to Parra fan on The Hill's discussion Jai Arrow - When life puts everything into perspective
"All the best to Jaimand his family. Sometimes, life is cruel."
3 hours ago
Parra fan on The Hill’s discussion was featured
Ever since i saw the Ch. 9 news reel with Jai playing with his daughter and then struggling to speak/ slurring his words...I'd layed my anger at everything about our failing club (results- recruitment) aside. Fuck it...what does it even mean? Simply…
3 hours ago
The Badger replied to Parra fan on The Hill's discussion Jai Arrow - When life puts everything into perspective
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Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin replied to Parra fan on The Hill's discussion Jai Arrow - When life puts everything into perspective
"Im happy that Wayne said the club is there for him.and he's still a big part of the group and will.also travel with them to all away trips. "
5 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Parra fan on The Hill's discussion Jai Arrow - When life puts everything into perspective
"Fuck me....Doesn't life throw some curve balls.
All the best Jai"
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Sneaky Pete replied to Parra fan on The Hill's discussion Jai Arrow - When life puts everything into perspective
"Massive respect to Wayne Bennett and the rabbitohs yesterday. Fight the beast that is MND."
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"If you can summarise this blog in one sentence - which im betting you cannot,  ill send you my old people magazines for you to enjoy with your morning coffees 
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Mallee57 replied to Parra fan on The Hill's discussion Jai Arrow - When life puts everything into perspective
"very sad. "
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Axel replied to Parra fan on The Hill's discussion Jai Arrow - When life puts everything into perspective
"I watched the presser yesterday and it was gut wrenching. I don't know how he held it together. 
My thoughts are with him and his family, and I hope he has a supportive network around him to offer comfort and assistance during this time."
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