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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Angry Eel replied to Parra-all-the-way's discussion Did eels dodge a bullet with Galvin?
"Let's be honest the dogs spine is horrendous. They have 2 x 6's that they're trying to make work. They're also trying to manufacture a 9 in Hayward. Conner Tracy is a good footballer but is probably well down if you were to rate fullbacks. They have…"
5 minutes ago
Angry Eel replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"I rate Jenkins but what shits me is we could have recruited 2 years ago for bananas before he went to Newcastle. Newy didn't really give him a go because they had young and marzew. Good pick up and is exactly what we need but we shouldn't be paying…"
14 minutes ago
Angry Eel replied to Hector Bob Down's discussion Is the Game getting to fast with all the changes
"I've always disliked games where too many points are scored.Games like Basketball and AFL lose appeal in my opinion because there's too much scoring. Soccer is the biggest game in the world somewhat because when a team scores it's likely to…"
18 minutes ago
Angry Eel replied to Parra-all-the-way's discussion Did eels dodge a bullet with Galvin?
"Galvin is quality and would have complimented Moses beautifully. Bulldogs got greedy and trying to use him as a 7 is ridiculously dumb. I think Galvin screwed up not coming to us "
24 minutes ago
Michael W. replied to Parra-all-the-way's discussion Did eels dodge a bullet with Galvin?
"The dogs problem is they have two left side 5/8's. Galvin would have been great for us, he is a natural 5/8 with a decent running and defence game. "
26 minutes ago
Poupou Escobar replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"Do you know what benefit the club gets from it?"
43 minutes ago
Graham polkinghorne replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 8 Team List v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Anzac Round)
"I hope Debelin starts, and I wish Araz was named instead of Albert. Parra showed they can score points, its our defence which let's us down.
We need to take Manly on up front. In defence going looking for the collision."
57 minutes ago
JC replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"No, it's a bad move by any club to do it. "
1 hour ago
Graham polkinghorne replied to Parra-all-the-way's discussion Did eels dodge a bullet with Galvin?
"Galvin struggles to pass right or left while trying to strengthen the attack. He needs to turn his hips and top half to pass. It's why you see alot of his passes miss the mark."
1 hour ago
JC replied to Parra-all-the-way's discussion Did eels dodge a bullet with Galvin?
"No, Galvin isn't the problem at the dogs, well he is part of it but he shouldn't be. He was not and is not ready to be the 7 for a team that was/is good enough to compete for the comp. 
It was a bad decision on Galvin's part to take the dogs offer…"
1 hour ago
Poupou Escobar replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"No you're reading it wrong. The option is to extend. It's not an option to leave, as per the RLPA. It's the media that has created this narrative around 'get out clauses' that has caused the RLPA to take action around public disclosure of the…"
1 hour ago
Poupou Escobar replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"But it's fine when the Storm do it?"
1 hour ago
JC replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"It's a contract that the player isn't locked into but the club is,  so yes, from the players perspective he is off contract but from the clubs perspective they are locked into a contract.  A bad situation for a club to be in because it's a lose,…"
2 hours ago
Parra_Greg replied to Hector Bob Down's discussion Is the Game getting to fast with all the changes
"Im an old fart  "Hector Bob Down" but I agree ...not only is the game structurally fucked the rules are ruining RUGBY LEAGUE....but I get it times change and maybe the game now is the most lucrative ..........fans , ratings etc...means more MONEY…"
2 hours ago
Parra_Greg replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
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2 hours ago
Prof. Daz replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"NOS, I agree DB leaving was a failure to adequately secure a position (5/8). The player options were bad ideas but it's also true DB did not reciprocate the faith and trust placed in him. 
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