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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Coryn Hughes replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"When your big game hunting like we did earlier for Galvin and now KK and we can't get them across the line there's something missing there.Ill  be interested to see how this plays out."
17 minutes ago
Poppa replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"Fair enough, everything is subjective and I have enjoyed the discussion. "
19 minutes ago
Poppa replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"JB, you chose wisely my friend (JW) and the proof will be in the pudding by end season. If JW wins the Thornett medal again (lets assume JW is on 500k and will go to 700k if he does). KK will be on 1m and lessor a player? hard to say, usually 9…"
23 minutes ago
Perpetual Motion replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"Gus has never even spoken to him...."
25 minutes ago
John Boyle replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"I did understand what you meant mate, I started writing a response but thought it was taking too long.
I see value in 2 x 18-20yr old Potential Rep Forwards at $500k a season, you see better value in 1 x Rep Forward at $900k a season...... we all…"
27 minutes ago
Poppa replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"That's fine, thats why I said subjectively...... you identified 2 18-20 year olds again subjectively.....I think you miss my "investment decision" of alternatives as being the principle of my post.
I can maybe recommend a "stock" to you for $5 and…"
37 minutes ago
John Boyle replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"I think Jack Williams showed as last season that you don't have to be a 'Rep Quality' forward to match it with the best, he wasn't our only forward to do this...... so why are we expecting/wanting to pay forwards absurd money unless they are genuine…"
38 minutes ago
Eli Stephens replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"With salary cap rising, the normal range is going to be around that for a rep quality forward. Only going to get worse "
43 minutes ago
John Boyle replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"Poppa I just don't think a forward is worth near halfback money, unless he is of Payne Haas's calabre."
52 minutes ago
Poppa replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"I doubt that JB, identifying those youngsters and paying them 500k would be prohibitive odds..... 
When you think of it and forgetting the actual individual (which is subjective) any forward/player that you buy for $1m and is not already an Origin…"
1 hour ago
LB replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"Roosters have in the past, plenty of times."
1 hour ago
LB replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8976165/souths-beast-is-nrls...
He said he would do what's best for team but his preferred spot is Back-row."
1 hour ago
Hell On Eels replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"Frankie, you're a clever & successful man, and often correct.
The thing is we think the world of Matt Cameron now, and so do I. But have a look at what we said about Matt Cameron back in 2012. He was "rubbish" and a reason our juniors were stuffed.…"
1 hour ago
Poppa replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"They are different types of CEO's Frankie, Jim is a tradional finance backed CEO with a corporate management approach. I think he is learning pretty quickly about the football side of things. We and he did not have the experience or guidance that…"
1 hour ago
John Boyle replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"I like him as a player but not for the price.
Surely we can identify 2 x 18-20 Year old forwards that will potentially play Origin and offer them $500k a season each ?"
1 hour ago
Michael W. replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"I hope we don't get him, would rather see him stay at Souths or go to Saints. He is not worth anywhere near a mil. He's a middle that can play big minutes, that's it. "
1 hour ago
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ANY MORE SIGNINGS???

I've been frustrated recently about the work we have been doing in the open market. Jonah's alright for a year and JDB is solid but he's getting old. I feel we need more in the forwards and some a replacement outside back. All I have seen is links…

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