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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ParramattaLurker replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion OUR CLUB IS IN GREAT HANDS
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Randy Handlinger replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion OUR CLUB IS IN GREAT HANDS
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"Jason Ryles: Absolute great talker, keeps you invested and by listen to him talk you just find yourself so invested in what he is building and where we are going"..That you opened with…"
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I had the opportunity this evening to attend the Members Forum for 2026 which was restricted to about 100 members and my goodness was it a great evening, a great initative from the club and a great insight in where we are going and it was really…
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EA replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion OUR CLUB IS IN GREAT HANDS
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Hell On Eels replied to Randy Handlinger's discussion Irony is Even Deader
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I note that Brett has been happily posting there without a flag avatar, for years, with no objections from him or from any 1EE posters participating there.
Mmm.
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Randy Handlinger replied to Randy Handlinger's discussion Irony is Even Deader
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The Badger replied to Randy Handlinger's discussion Irony is Even Deader
"That 'Abdo' comment is a beauty. 
Seems sarcastic enough for Wiz but lacks his usual pizzazz."
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I hope some folks return but the joint will survive."
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Randy Handlinger replied to Randy Handlinger's discussion Irony is Even Deader
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Randy Handlinger replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
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Post it again!!!Post it again!!!"
3 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Hell On Eels's discussion V’landys Backflips but the Lomax Case May Hinge on One Question
"Maybe the "secret mods" did it, the cunts....but wait, that would mean I'm a secret mod...so how did....but why did....all I know is that the contrails and immigrants had something to do with something-something-something"
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Randy Handlinger replied to Hell On Eels's discussion V’landys Backflips but the Lomax Case May Hinge on One Question
"A "pass market" is where we need to send Penisini. Actually, send him with 2 magic beans so he doesn't just buy a pass, he can afford to buy the whole "setup your winger" skillset.
Or is a "pass market" slang for an Indian University
 "
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Parrafan101 replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Give the kids a crack, we aren't buying anyone soon. Cant learn stuff all in cup. If Tago plays like a king in reggies and first grade this year i'll eat my worrds."
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