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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Michael W. replied to LB's discussion NAS was offered $800k from Parramatta
"There is no quote from NAS to say he was offered $800k by anyone, let alone Parra, and i doubt very much we would have offered that. My mail was it was $500k which he knocked back, but never negotiated for more. I think he might come back to league…"
1 minute ago
Kenny Power replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Clubs urge NRL to back Parra over Storm's pursuit of Lomax
"How could mental health possibly be used to sign with storm?"
1 minute ago
Kurupt - 1 Year Cuck replied to LB's discussion NAS was offered $800k from Parramatta
"I know for a fact we only offered a Nintendo gameboy and a Yogo."
3 minutes ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to LB's discussion NAS was offered $800k from Parramatta
"Boxers almost always exaggerate to gain attention.  Next up Bears offered 1.1 mil"
7 minutes ago
Perpetual Motion replied to LB's discussion NAS was offered $800k from Parramatta
"Somehow I doubt this was the case. "
8 minutes ago
Prof. Daz replied to LB's discussion Make your own rules.
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Charge downs are a free ball. Attacking team recovers and their tackle could continues (not restarting at first tackle),…"
41 minutes ago
Hector replied to SuperEel 22's discussion The bad smell of Parramatta returns
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47 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Clubs urge NRL to back Parra over Storm's pursuit of Lomax
"I've heard this before apparently Keon Kolomatangi was a done deal that was mail from a poster on here."
51 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Clubs urge NRL to back Parra over Storm's pursuit of Lomax
"No Parra must not wither at the vine here they must persist even if it costs them thousands in court.The NRL and PVL better be in Parra's corner also if this is let to slide forget about honouring contracts they mean absolutely nothing.
Big talk PVL…"
52 minutes ago
Angry Eel replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Clubs urge NRL to back Parra over Storm's pursuit of Lomax
"Lomax doesn't have a legal leg to stand on. No risk whatsoever "
1 hour ago
The Badger replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Clubs urge NRL to back Parra over Storm's pursuit of Lomax
"At this moment in time I can't see the point in money only, as we can't seem to sign anyone worth said $$.
But if that's the deal $650K X 3 = $1.95M. 
Call it $2M straight up or no deal."
1 hour ago
will replied to LB's discussion Make your own rules.
"Instead of golden point there should be multi-ball like in pinball. 3 balls fall from a blimp overhead. 1st team to score 2 tries wins"
1 hour ago
LB replied to LB's discussion Make your own rules.
"53 man roster
Helmets
 
jeez this sounds familiar, PVL might be onto something."
1 hour ago
will replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Clubs urge NRL to back Parra over Storm's pursuit of Lomax
"Don't be surprised if it's only money not a player swap "
1 hour ago
will replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Clubs urge NRL to back Parra over Storm's pursuit of Lomax
"My mail is a deal is imminent. 
Lomax using restraint of trade but also mental health issues.
Parramatta either get a trade out of it or risk getting nothing if he wins in court
Parra are asking for a front rower or left centre of similar ability "
1 hour ago
SuperEel 22’s discussion was featured
Every year a horrible smell returns to Parramatta. And no, I'm not talking about the river.
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ANY MORE SIGNINGS???

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Make your own rules.

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