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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Colin Good replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 9 Team List v New Zealand Warriors
"Wound it be too much to expect a clean sweep in first grade ,JF,the cup plus under 19 girls  all had great wins "
30 seconds ago
Yehez replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 9 Team List v New Zealand Warriors
"Cheers, that's a shame indeed. "
43 minutes ago
Mallee57 replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R9 v Warriors: The Chase For Consistency (Talaigi starts, Brown on bench, Guymer on bench)
"Definitely possible"
46 minutes ago
EA replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 9 Team List v New Zealand Warriors
"His best play today was that kick for the line drop out. But that try was good too.
Defensively his first contact is not good enough for the front line. The 17 year old edge Neal fended him off like nothing."
56 minutes ago
Hector Bob Down replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 9 Team List v New Zealand Warriors
"Looked liked leg injury took a while to replace him but seemed to run ok when he scored his try🙄"
57 minutes ago
Richard Jackson replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 9 Team List v New Zealand Warriors
"Yes EA, he injured his ankle repeatedly today, but didn't allow the pain to stop him scoring that great 30 yard try.
The count was limping as well but I suspect both will play on thru the pain"
58 minutes ago
EA replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 9 Team List v New Zealand Warriors
"Thats disappointing if it turns out to be true. Wonder whats wrong. Has had so many injuries so maybe its about his rehab and how he takes care of his body. Surely he doesnt expect team selection in NRL lol"
58 minutes ago
Joel K replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 9 Team List v New Zealand Warriors
"Yep, I thought it was an injury as well but I saw a few people saying it is an attitude thing on Eels socials"
1 hour ago
EA replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 9 Team List v New Zealand Warriors
"Jeez thats a shame. Is this the rumour you heard from the other fan forum site? His knee definitely looked dodgey last game."
1 hour ago
EA replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 9 Team List v New Zealand Warriors
"Twiddle may be injured again because he didnt finish the game."
1 hour ago
Joel K replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 9 Team List v New Zealand Warriors
"Apparently he's got attitude issues and wont be re-signed"
1 hour ago
Yehez replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 9 Team List v New Zealand Warriors
"We should give him to Dragons and get Su'A early. They need a 7 for a bit while Kade Reed gets a full season in cup and Pezet can get first grade gametime before Brisbane. "
1 hour ago
Richard Jackson replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R9 v Warriors: The Chase For Consistency (Talaigi starts, Brown on bench, Guymer on bench)
"After Flegg and Cup won against the warriors today, can we make it a clean sweep.
Why not. Flegg won 30-24 and Cup finished 43-14.
Gee there was'nt a bad player for us anywhere today but to me in Flegg Bamblett was terrific in the 6 shirt, a…"
1 hour ago
Yehez replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 9 Team List v New Zealand Warriors
"Was Richie injured again? Man I got my hopes up. 
But that's really impressive form the cup side. Nice to see Twidle back early too."
1 hour ago
EA replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 9 Team List v New Zealand Warriors
"💯💯"
1 hour ago
Hector Bob Down replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 9 Team List v New Zealand Warriors
"Yep exactly that's why I think an organising 7 is his right position . "
1 hour ago
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