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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Tin Tim replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Buzz Rothfeild SMH - A Howarth Lomax Swap Deal?
"Dirty dog, don't allow him anything unless we are heavily compensated. "
4 minutes ago
CarloEEL2 replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Buzz Rothfeild SMH - A Howarth Lomax Swap Deal?
"Well said mace 
HNY gal xx"
4 minutes ago
LB replied to Eli Stephens's discussion 2026 team 😍
"That's a great looking team, even if I feel Kautoga is ahead of Tuilagi still a top team with players like Guymer and Doorey missing out.
Though imagine the awkwardness now, Kelly comes in expected to be starter and Russell missed out, now Russell…"
10 minutes ago
LB replied to Eli Stephens's discussion 2026 team 😍
"I would argue, based on TCT reports, Fletcher is the boom half project over Talataina. Well he is having a better pre-season by reports.
There are patterns. Last year Tuivaiti and Smith were always seen at pre-season training. Fletcher and…"
11 minutes ago
LB replied to Eli Stephens's discussion 2026 team 😍
"Was going to say that but some would have berated me for dare moving Williams haha. Glad you said it."
12 minutes ago
Shane replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Buzz Rothfeild SMH - A Howarth Lomax Swap Deal?
"I just got told by someone who's under the same management that it's close to happening and Melbourne are looking at Matterson as well. "
16 minutes ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Eli Stephens's discussion 2026 team 😍
"1.Iongi
2. Simonson
3.Penasini
4.Howarth 
5.Foxx
6.Pezet
7.Moses
8.De Belin
9.Smith
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11.Tuilagi
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17 minutes ago
The Badger replied to Eli Stephens's discussion 2026 team 😍
"KitKat in 
Tuilagi on the bench
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36 minutes ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Buzz Rothfeild SMH - A Howarth Lomax Swap Deal?
"Do the Ralph Wiggum tactic
"3 crayons and my milk?"
MON will counter if it's a Chocolate milk they have a deal."
50 minutes ago
DYNASTY.LOADING replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Strangest part about the Lomax situation.
"Agreed"
54 minutes ago
Clintorian replied to Eli Stephens's discussion 2026 team 😍
"Exactly my thoughts Eli. I honestly think Tualagi is better suited to the middle with his size and movement, having him on the bench gives us an option for both positions."
1 hour ago
Clintorian replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Strangest part about the Lomax situation.
"I think Ryles and Browny could see this unfolding through the year and has played the situation superbly. Letting him go early with the provision that he comes back to the Eels puts the ball in our court for any decisions made, they have played him…"
1 hour ago
BEM replied to Eli Stephens's discussion 2026 team 😍
"Kautoga in for Williams and Williams on the bench instead of Guymer."
1 hour ago
BEM replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Buzz Rothfeild SMH - A Howarth Lomax Swap Deal?
"We don't need another edge forward.
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1 hour ago
Axel replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Buzz Rothfeild SMH - A Howarth Lomax Swap Deal?
"Journos must have a bonus plan centered around how many Eels stories they can generate every month.  Especially in the off seaon LOL"
2 hours ago
macybrown replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Lomax hires lawyers against Parramatta
"Storm prob advised no problem we can sort that es given the circumstances of Katoa being out they'll be very confident thry can work that. Reckon he sought legal advice before signing can't imagine his manager  be thst stupid not too.
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2 hours ago
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ANY MORE SIGNINGS???

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