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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SneakyEel replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"I like it. Excited to see it if it happens. I would consider moving fox to the right wing with Penisini. Get Tago to play next to Jenkins and you have a great backline"
8 minutes ago
shane replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"would love this to be true but chief says it close so we have no chance as chief is laways wrong"
19 minutes ago
TolEllts replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"😊"
30 minutes ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"Correct very much doubt he'll be back to his best."
30 minutes ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"Well then for 500k a year amd can play anywhere in the backs is a farkin bargain."
31 minutes ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"Won't happen, because we just announced a Jnr upgrade 😝"
33 minutes ago
TolEllts replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"Spot on!"
48 minutes ago
TolEllts replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"🤞"
52 minutes ago
Zip zip replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"Maybe if he's offered a centre spot, that would be the big carrot. As for the rest of the 2027 backline, I'd go with Samrani over Nanva for the wing/centre."
1 hour ago
Nightmare Off-Season replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"Great points!"
1 hour ago
Eels tragic replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"NOS I would have Jenkins on the wing.  He is lethal in the air.  Moses kicking to him would be a great attacking option for us!"
1 hour ago
Muttman replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"Yep"
1 hour ago
Muttman replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"If we didn't have Brian Kelly I'd suggest him instead. But we've already got that one sorted."
1 hour ago
LB replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"Jenkins is a year older than Tago and has played 61 less games."
1 hour ago
LB replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"The reason would be price. A team will pay overs, we would too, hoping he will continue his form. "
1 hour ago
Gucci replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"He is a product of his elite center next to him. There is a reason Penrith are willing to part ways. They could offload Tago or the like to keep him. "
1 hour ago
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