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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Mitchy replied to Diggs for PM's discussion Spence
6 minutes ago
LB replied to Diggs for PM's discussion Spence
"God I love that show, so many quotable moments. "
18 minutes ago
Parramanaic replied to Diggs for PM's discussion Spence
"Not Frank Spencer?"
43 minutes ago
Mallee57 replied to Diggs for PM's discussion Spence
"I'll write that down with my Spencil"
1 hour ago
KENDOZA replied to Diggs for PM's discussion Spence
"He won't come here. "
2 hours ago
Longfin Eel replied to Diggs for PM's discussion Spence
"Pat Spence. He's been with the club for years."
2 hours ago
KENDOZA replied to Diggs for PM's discussion Spence
"The suspence is killing me"
2 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Diggs for PM's discussion Spence
"It's just common spence "
3 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Diggs for PM's discussion Spence
"woof...I'm closing in on a 50yr stretch in Parra Punishment Prison so by those numbers It would equal 250yrs at His Majesty's leisure....seems about right
 "
3 hours ago
WMD replied to Diggs for PM's discussion Spence
"Signing him for 1 year simply doesn't make Spence."
3 hours ago
Flow Basket replied to Diggs for PM's discussion Spence
"👍"
3 hours ago
Yehez replied to Diggs for PM's discussion Spence
"Won't mind him for 26-27 actually. Allows us time to see how well juniors develop and who might come to market later this year or next year. "
4 hours ago
Mathew Clarke replied to Diggs for PM's discussion Spence
"If it's Spencer Leniu, yes. He is exactly the kind of firebrand that the Eels need. 
If it's money that he is after, then PNG is where he will end up."
5 hours ago
Mallee57 replied to Diggs for PM's discussion Spence
"Hope he's not too ExSpencive"
9 hours ago
Mallee57 replied to Diggs for PM's discussion Spence
"I Suspencered as much "
9 hours ago
fishbulb replied to Diggs for PM's discussion Spence
"What a great pick up. We're signing Bruce Spence!"
10 hours ago
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