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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Clintorian replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"Panthers are maxed out with the core of their Premiership winners with Cleary, Yeo, Martin, To'o, Leota, Tago, Edwards, Kenny, then some young guns in Talagi, McLean, "
2 minutes ago
SuperEel 22 replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"Does Nanva get that spot? Or do we go with Simo? I feel like Bailey with his NRL experience would be first cab off the rank if fit and Nanva provides solid backup there.
Also I doubt Jenkins gets JAC's spot. The Fox is our left winger, he's bagged…"
4 minutes ago
Muttman replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"He's too young and scores too many tries. He's also way too good under the high ball. Hard pass. Montoya could be available. Let's go hard for him. "
6 minutes ago
Clintorian replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"The only reason I posted it was because there were multiple people posting about it, possibly 4-5 sources. This means it could be just his manager working overtime to press Panthers into making a deal, or there is a genuine attempt to go to the Eels."
7 minutes ago
Clintorian replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"Spill it Chiefy..."
9 minutes ago
Muttman replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"We're not getting close to a comp any time soon. And MON should get the blame for that. "
15 minutes ago
Nightmare Off-Season replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"Haha... Fair.
Hope this is true, had hoped we'd get him from Newcastle before the Panthers. Has that speed we lack."
28 minutes ago
LB replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"I would happily take, him has talent, at a good age and has experience. My concerns are is he a by product of a great Penrith system, as he left once before and did nothing. Secondly, how much are we paying for a Winger? If he makes Origin it is…"
31 minutes ago
LB replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"Ok well that's better than just saying FB chief as I have seen so many fan sites just post random stuff. But if you have someone with connections, amazing"
34 minutes ago
Axel replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓's discussion Who wins and by how many ??
"I like the forwards from the Departures. The backs are (mostly) rubbish"
38 minutes ago
Poupou Escobar replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"The same reason so many Panthers went to Canterbury and Wests. Money"
40 minutes ago
HH - Love You Iongi Time! replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"Someone on FB said -"Why would you go from the foot of the mountains to the foot of the ladder.""
43 minutes ago
Parrafan101 replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"Id get tago to replace Nanva, we need  an x factor or speed in that centre, but Nanva i would love to see him develop more. His D is what won us the game on sunday."
45 minutes ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓 replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"Yep, been in touch with someone saying we are close"
49 minutes ago
Nightmare Off-Season replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"Daz, again, I never said 'everyone said he was a crap/bad 5/8th', I said the criticisms far exceeded his 'value as a potential halfback' - will try find a blog ASAP Daz, just can't currently.
 "
55 minutes ago
Flow Basket replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"I would've copped a little bit overs for Russell.   Loved watching his rise .hope I wasn't one who bagged him at start"
1 hour ago
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