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 Roy tannous's discussion Samrani locked in centre?
"Samrani is one of my favourites. He's easily our best option at centre atm but I believe his best position will be in the back row. We've got no ability coming through so we definitely need to go to market for 2 centres and a quality yardage/aerial…"
16 minutes ago
Eelovution replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Moses Suli anyone?
"Axel, one of the best replies on this site. Sick and tired of all the  'agony aunts' on here complaining about this and that. Looks like angst lives rent-free in their brains."
49 minutes ago
LB replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Moses Suli anyone?
"I mean we are all guilty of it at some points. I have been in the past. But it is just annoying to be fair that there is no in between. If the team is good it's "Premiers or nothing" or slightly bad "We are spooners for the next decade" all because…"
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SuperEel 22 replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Which players would you target as a value investment?
"I think his family were caught up in the NSW floods so he went home to help out
 "
1 hour ago
fake midget pseudoachondroplasia replied to Roy tannous's discussion Samrani locked in centre?
"Samrani has shown it isn't always the young players with massive hype that will succeed at NRL level.  Didn't have the wraps some other players have but there is a reason he was given an opportunity and has grabbed it. 
Doesn't matter if a back…"
1 hour ago
LB replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Which players would you target as a value investment?
"That is what was mentioned, personal issues. He spent a year or two out i think? But yeah no idea what happened as he would have debuted in 2021 had he stayed."
1 hour ago
The Badger replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Which players would you target as a value investment?
"Does anyone know why Sam Hughes left? He was apparently one of our better juniors at the time but may have had personal issues???"
2 hours ago
Prof. Daz replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Moses Suli anyone?
"What happens if both Moses' assume responsibility for parting one side of the red sea each?"
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Michael W. replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Moses Suli anyone?
"You're right Axel, it's fucking hilarious."
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Axel replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Moses Suli anyone?
"The bipolar reactions on the site are hilarious LB. One of the reasons I don't respond as often but they do provide some comical relief to lighten the day after a loss; or a win!   "
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Poppa replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Moses Suli anyone?
"Sorry Bluey is leading that group now!"
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Prof. Daz replied to Roy tannous's discussion Samrani locked in centre?
"In Samrani's favour, he knows how to position his support runner, is just quick enough in space to position a support runner, and is a fair defender. But also, he seems to have 'good hands'. He picks up those passes others drop, and grounds balls…"
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Poppa replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Moses Suli anyone?
""better skill" Interesting concept.....line speed and defence needs better skil? "
3 hours ago
Poppa replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Moses Suli anyone?
"Pork Rind do you know you can buy pork rind chips now?"
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Poppa replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Moses Suli anyone?
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Samrani locked in centre?

Samrani man.In his short career his done more then penisni since 2022.samrani gives us something we lacked since Lomax,presence in the air.can also come up with with some big plays like against the cows and intercept against newy.Although didn't win…

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