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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Johnny Suede replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Does anyone know if......
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Flow Basket replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Does anyone know if......
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Flow Basket replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Lomax has blown up his own career. And for what?
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will replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Does anyone know if......
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LB replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Does anyone know if......
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Archie replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Lomax has blown up his own career. And for what?
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6 hours ago
Poppa replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Lomax has blown up his own career. And for what?
"Doh! is that because they have won 4 premierships and been in the last 5 GFs. Inconsiderate bastards...how dare they!"
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will replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Does anyone know if......
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He needed 8 weeks off and simply can't perform as he used to"
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Offside replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Does anyone know if......
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Flow Basket replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Lomax has blown up his own career. And for what?
"I know it's money. Why do  our good players choose money not premierships the latest news said we're a decent outfit. Do we have any players who arnt controlled by there manager's. I hope lomax is not allowed back it ruins the game .   
Look at the…"
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Blue Eel replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Lomax has blown up his own career. And for what?
"Ryles hasn't really done much wrong that i can see, and the huge cultural change he has introduced is awesome to see."
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Blue Eel replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Lomax has blown up his own career. And for what?
"Exactly no rush, someone will come knocking. Best part is we have $700k waiting to be spent on an exceptional player and the rights to Zac's NRL career for the 3 years."
8 hours ago
Flow Basket replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Lomax has blown up his own career. And for what?
" If it's total money it's all over. Is everyone here at peak or are some choosing life balance "
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Eli Stephens replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Lomax has blown up his own career. And for what?
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9 hours ago
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