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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Eli Stephens replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Iongi: Recent Illicit Substance Scandals vs NRL Sanctions
"Yeah i don't think he will get much more then a fine and a good talking to internally. Seems a bit over the top to be suspending him and all that with this sort of situation. "
1 minute ago
Randy Handlinger replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Parramatta, NRL to investigate images of rising Eels star
"Ionghi is so stoned that he thinks he has found a secret spy-code book in his girly-friends fag-bag and he is trying to de-code it before she gets out of the shower"
2 minutes ago
Randy Handlinger replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Parramatta, NRL to investigate images of rising Eels star
"Thank you. 
It will be a big deal if Ugly Pete wants it to be"
10 minutes ago
Randy Handlinger replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Parramatta, NRL to investigate images of rising Eels star
"Got tired from banging the chickybabe holding the camera.
 "
12 minutes ago
Randy Handlinger replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Parramatta, NRL to investigate images of rising Eels star
"You're actually asking a lot from the current gen, and tht is not slagging them off. The world that they live AND grew up immersed in cannot be shucked off easily.
Guys often want nudes from chicks and we are stupid around hot women.
They can and…"
13 minutes ago
Clintorian replied to LB's discussion Eels interested in Barnett
"Yeah, with Haas gone they will have the money."
17 minutes ago
Randy Handlinger replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Parramatta, NRL to investigate images of rising Eels star
"I know right....I just got home"
22 minutes ago
Randy Handlinger replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Parramatta, NRL to investigate images of rising Eels star
"Where's the photo of Ionghi hittin' da bongi?...fucking lightweight smoking scoobs at home. Unless they're at a hotel room, with a condom on the smoke detecter, it's uuaustralian.
My opinions are biased here as I've smoked more pot than a retired…"
23 minutes ago
Longfin Eel replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Parramatta, NRL to investigate images of rising Eels star
"How long ago was this? Was it before his time at Parramatta? If so  there's not much for the club to do.
If he was playing for Parra at the time, the club really has no choice but to make a stand. The current court case suggests the club wants to…"
37 minutes ago
LB replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Parramatta, NRL to investigate images of rising Eels star
"Parra did the right thing by reporting it immediately to get on the front foot. Makes it look a bit better."
40 minutes ago
LB replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Parramatta, NRL to investigate images of rising Eels star
"He'll be fine. The bloke had his ex smearing him mid last year and got better."
41 minutes ago
Longfin Eel replied to Hell On Eels's discussion The Eels v Lomax: Timeline and Key Questions
"Wow, we could see V'Landys in the box as well. Allegedly threatening to register a contract in violation of an outstanding contract. If true, this could go anywhere. No doubt the NRL are shitting themselves now."
42 minutes ago
paul taylor replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Parramatta, NRL to investigate images of rising Eels star
"The club shouldn't go over the top and punish him. If this is a revenge type of situation it needs to be taken into context .  We really need to stop trying to label footy players as role models . These kids have lived very different lives from the…"
45 minutes ago
CarloEEL2 replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Parramatta, NRL to investigate images of rising Eels star
"Kram !!!! So nice to see you 
everytime someone from " the family " reappears it's always amazing 
hopefully it's a good year !!!
 "
51 minutes ago
Randy Handlinger replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Parramatta, NRL to investigate images of rising Eels star
"So burger it is"
1 hour ago
Clintorian replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Iongi: Recent Illicit Substance Scandals vs NRL Sanctions
"Nothing will happen if it's just a doobie. Can't prove it even was weed, plus, it's a revenge act from years ago. I'd be surprised if he even got a fine."
1 hour ago
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