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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LB replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Wow how good is the lower grades going
"Not really, Talagi being 19 was the youngest there I believe. The rest are 20 and over."
1 minute ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to Joel K's discussion Our new signing
"HOE what is mauces?"
2 minutes ago
LB replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Wow how good is the lower grades going
"I wouldn't go down the route of Kearney that bad but he deserves some talk on him with recruitment. Sarantinos, MON, Ryles and Rogers all should answer questions."
2 minutes ago
Make Parra Great Again replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R14 v Dogs: King's Birthday Battle (Happy Birthday Mallee; Connor starts at one, Edwards starts, TDS to bench)
"Think we might get ambushed today. Pains me to say but could be a cricket score on us"
2 minutes ago
LB replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Wow how good is the lower grades going
"Question, why is it now everyone is caring about NSW Cup? Cause it's televised? Cup has had 40 put on them 4 times now, not a peep.
I care more about NRL as I tell you now if we were good in NRL but rubbish in Cup would anyone care? "
4 minutes ago
Mapik replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Wiz and Frankie returning today
"Okay that explains what happened to these two but what happened to Snake?"
4 minutes ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Wow how good is the lower grades going
"U talking about Kearney 2.0??"
9 minutes ago
Joel K replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R14 v Dogs: King's Birthday Battle (Happy Birthday Mallee; Connor starts at one, Edwards starts, TDS to bench)
"Just fold the club. What the fuck was that "
9 minutes ago
LB replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Wow how good is the lower grades going
"God that last try was pathetic defence. Either Smith is low in confidence in or still carrying that injury. If the latter he shouldn't be playing, rest him up."
10 minutes ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Wow how good is the lower grades going
"That last try for dogs was fcuking embarrassing, let's not sugar coat it."
10 minutes ago
EA replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R14 v Dogs: King's Birthday Battle (Happy Birthday Mallee; Connor starts at one, Edwards starts, TDS to bench)
"There won't be any club trying to sign him other than RM or Syndey shield teams"
10 minutes ago
Sonic Boom replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R14 v Dogs: King's Birthday Battle (Happy Birthday Mallee; Connor starts at one, Edwards starts, TDS to bench)
"Hopefully the commentators have it wrong. It's baffling to offer him a dev deal. Even if the believe in him give him a train and trial. There isn't going to be a stack to clubs trying to poach him"
12 minutes ago
LB replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Wow how good is the lower grades going
"Don't forget Ryles who agreed to Nanva and Guymer extending."
17 minutes ago
EA replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R14 v Dogs: King's Birthday Battle (Happy Birthday Mallee; Connor starts at one, Edwards starts, TDS to bench)
"Problem is where do you play him next year. In RM on Dev deal? Cause that's where he belongs "
17 minutes ago
Priceforever replied to Joel K's discussion Our new signing
"Geez looking at him yesterday his winger made a great break and heres Suli jogging 20M behind. Looks lazy as to me. Hope we haven't signed him."
18 minutes ago
Mannah-Brow replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Wow how good is the lower grades going
"We are just preparing them for what they an expect if they ever get to play first grade with actual reserve grade quality players.
Disappointing to see guys like Pryor can't dominate at this level but are called into nrl. Rylry Smith playing in the…"
18 minutes ago
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