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 CarloEEL2's discussion Show of hands
"Apparently in 2027, NRL will open a free for all 17 clubs to apply. So those already who have gone can go again. Broncos and Roosters were desperate to get back there i believe. 
In terms of going, could not afford that plus i have been to Vegas…"
12 minutes ago
The Badger replied to CarloEEL2's discussion Show of hands
"Aren't we playing Storm in round 1 these days?"
22 minutes ago
Parra-all-the-way replied to CarloEEL2's discussion Show of hands
"Same reasons for me. Ill be doing my best to get there"
24 minutes ago
CarloEEL2 replied to CarloEEL2's discussion Show of hands
"I have 
and also listened to some of the Sasha Reilly tapes 
it is horrifically disturbing and mind numbing that he has just not been arrested pronto "
32 minutes ago
Randy Handlinger replied to CarloEEL2's discussion Show of hands
"Have you seen these latest epstein docs Carlo?. Dunno how Trump continues to be tolerated"
35 minutes ago
Randy Handlinger replied to CarloEEL2's discussion Show of hands
"Calling him Crooked Joe. Bless."
41 minutes ago
CarloEEL2 replied to CarloEEL2's discussion Show of hands
"Mitchy 
he's a child / woman rapist alleged torturer and possible murderer 😬😬😬😬
as a father surely that doesn't sit well 
the files are painting a horrific picture 
look up Sasha Reilly as well and mb read virginias book "
43 minutes ago
CarloEEL2 replied to CarloEEL2's discussion Show of hands
"I don't need to " pick up "
poppa lol "
45 minutes ago
CarloEEL2 replied to CarloEEL2's discussion Show of hands
"Mitchy ...Do you think a club could say " no thanks we are focusing on a premiership and that's what our members want 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️???""
47 minutes ago
Mitchy replied to CarloEEL2's discussion Show of hands
"Ha, Prof Daz, big call but do you mean the lefty's losing it as they already have because Trumpy is following through with this election promises? Good on him I say, and he's cleaning up the crap that Obama / Crooked Joe and cronies left. Repsect…"
49 minutes ago
Mitchy replied to CarloEEL2's discussion Show of hands
"Carlo, I am like you and think its not worth the cost etc. The US will not take to the game as PVL thinks; as they have football / baseball / Basketball lodged firmly into their DNA. I also am not keen for us to have a home game taken their, let…"
52 minutes ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to CarloEEL2's discussion Show of hands

Watch ==
Ihttps://youtube.com/shorts/4OHd6nTgcqc?si=FvVg8uQZraShGXSc
LOLLLLLLLLL  .Thats ploppa in 1963
 
d rather watch boxing.   Nah.   Its going to be Us vs Tigers game on.baby. bring it"
1 hour ago
Slippery. replied to CarloEEL2's discussion Show of hands

 Vegas is one place I haven't been too and it's high on my list of cities I want to visit. I would be extremely surprised if I'm not in Vegas when the Eels are there. I doubt I would be as keen if I had already been to Vegas. Ideally,  Vegas could…"
1 hour ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to CarloEEL2's discussion Show of hands
"Word is Parra v Tigers VEGAS 2027"
2 hours ago
JEELman replied to CarloEEL2's discussion Show of hands
"Big no from me 👎"
2 hours ago
Blue Eel replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"I like this one Blue and Gold,  if Newcastle jumped in with their offer now and beat the Storm to the punch, there may be no need for a court. So assume Newcastle has done that then Lomax is super desperate to only play for last years Grandfinalists…"
2 hours ago
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