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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Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Teancum will make his debut this year.  I think he will battle it out with Doorey and Tuivaiti for the bench rotation. Not just making up the numbers "
6 minutes ago
Hector Bob Down replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"EA how old is Twiddle i watch a few lower grade games last year seemed to have a good future . Has he been training with the top boys . What's your opinion of him going further "
28 minutes ago
Acme replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Cheers guys, let's hope he and Tuivaiti can both come through and form a deadly combination"
42 minutes ago
EA replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"I recon Joash will move to fullback when the first change happens with Iongi wrapped in cotton wool.
No chance Fletcher plays 9. I recon Pezet and Fletcher play minimal minutes. Twiddle, Joash and Iongi to split the fullback minutes. "
45 minutes ago
EA replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Doorey at lock was very good at nsw cup. Got a very deceptive short ball at the line "
46 minutes ago
EA replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Hopgood again lol"
47 minutes ago
EA replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"During JF he was a big minutes prop. Mobile and plenty of PCM. Not really your impact style forward. Jesse Bromwich is a good comparison for him"
47 minutes ago
Acme replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Seems like a lot more top players named in the first trial of the year than I can remember in a long time. Is this a move to reduce the possibilty of repeating the performance in last years season opener? Plenty on offer in Round 1 for Ryles, this…"
47 minutes ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Not sure but he could be more your impact type Prop."
55 minutes ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Prop. Big boy that is 21 but he has trimmed down this year."
55 minutes ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐’s discussion was featured
01  Isaiah Iongi 02. Jake Tago 03. Villiami Penisini 04. Sean Russell 05. Bailey Simonsson 06. Joash Papalii 07. Jonah Pezet 08. J'maine Hopgood 09. Ryley Smith 10. Sam Tuivaiti 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Matt Doorey14. Tallyn Da…
1 hour ago
Acme replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"hey guys, how do you see him being utilised if he can maintain a spot in the team? Impact off the bench? How many minutes do you think he could play?"
1 hour ago
Yehez replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Gotta say that looks good, considering who's missing. Another winger to push Tago down and an improvement on Meni Luke and that's quite a well covered squad, even as is.
Wondering how the halves would change. We have 5 on the sheet: Pezet, Joash,…"
1 hour ago
Hector Bob Down replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"👍back atcha all cool"
1 hour ago
Parra-all-the-way replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Don't know much about this guy? Forward i assume"
1 hour ago
Daniel P replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"I can't remember a first trial line up as strong as this in many years.  Maybe Ryles taking the opportunity to get match conditioning in to them as much as possible.  Injuries are just as likely at training as in a game.  Will be interesting to see…"
1 hour ago
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