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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"That's right chief, they haven't even discussed the details of the advisory role, at this point it's only an offer from the panthers without any substance. "
1 hour ago
JC replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin's discussion Cleary to announce he's leaving the Panthers
"In the press release ivan stated that the panthers had offered him an advisory role but that haven't even discussed the make up or terms of that role at this stage.
To me it came across as the panthers are willing to keep him on in some capacity but…"
1 hour ago
Parra_Greg replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin's discussion Cleary to announce he's leaving the Panthers
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1 hour ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin's discussion Cleary to announce he's leaving the Panthers
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The Badger replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin's discussion Cleary to announce he's leaving the Panthers
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2 hours ago
Mallee57 replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin's discussion Cleary to announce he's leaving the Panthers
"Same"
3 hours ago
Sparky the Eel replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin's discussion Cleary to announce he's leaving the Panthers
"come to Parra win the comp & really become a supercoach
 
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3 hours ago
Bubba j replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin's discussion Cleary to announce he's leaving the Panthers
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3 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to LB's discussion Ryan Matterson opens up on concussion battle
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3 hours ago
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3 hours ago
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4 hours ago
CarloEEL2 replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin's discussion Cleary to announce he's leaving the Panthers
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4 hours ago
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