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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Hell On Eels replied to Pato's discussion Jack Williams
"This is what Stefano said, October last year about leaving us: “Everyone had their say about it and what was going on with my brother, but it wasn’t that."
 


“They told me that I wasn’t going to be a part of the rotation going forward and that I…"
35 minutes ago
Clintorian replied to Roy tannous's discussion Jake Clifford?
"Clifford is the definition of 'bog average'. I cannot honestly remember anything he's ever done on the footy field, barely even noticed him. Hard pass."
43 minutes ago
Poppa replied to Pato's discussion Jack Williams
"Never was much of an under armer Christee, wife said I spin my balls and stay in too long.....that was sometime back in the previous century!
All said in done it will be wonderful too have two hands again, if only I had something rigid to guide…"
44 minutes ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to Pato's discussion Jack Williams
"Staring them point blank in their face and they don't do anything. Makes you sick."
49 minutes ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to Pato's discussion Jack Williams
"If this Petrus kid is from PNG then he's definitely going back, for money and country. Take that to the bank."
53 minutes ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to Pato's discussion Jack Williams
"Correct in theory PNG salary is double to the Aussie teams, and let's not start on TPA's. On another note imagine the scenes when they win their first game. Huge!! "
56 minutes ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to Pato's discussion Jack Williams
"LOL"
1 hour ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Pato's discussion Jack Williams
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I'd be interested to see…"
1 hour ago
christeel replied to Pato's discussion Jack Williams
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1 hour ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Pato's discussion Jack Williams
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Thats where you find the next Semi Radradra..
I mentioned a month ago that there was a world U/18s 7s tournament here in NZ do you think Parra had a scout here I doubt it I know for a…"
2 hours ago
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2 hours ago
LB replied to Pato's discussion Jack Williams
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But did anyone hear the arrogance of Chammas saying clubs shouldn't complain as PNG being successful is good for the game. Absolute smugness."
2 hours ago
fake midget pseudoachondroplasia replied to Pato's discussion Jack Williams
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2 hours ago
EA replied to Pato's discussion Jack Williams
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Yehez replied to Pato's discussion Jack Williams
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3 hours ago
fake midget pseudoachondroplasia replied to Pato's discussion Jack Williams
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Jake Clifford?

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