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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LB replied to ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER's discussion Tayon May my mate think mite be come to Parramatta
"Api has only roughly 2-3 years left. We have invested in Smith should continue.
No way you get May brothers, as they would be a package deal, unless Tigers flick Benji, which is not far out of the rhelm of possibilities as many might think if they…"
15 minutes ago
Michael W. replied to Pato's discussion Xerri
"Thanks LB, I was going to respond to DL but thought it wasn't worth it. I don't have a problem with Blore, my point is, we are short on backs, we have enough forwards atm to keep us competitive. I just can't see the point of releasing the Penisini…"
21 minutes ago
Titan replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Your Team list v Dragons - Kelma must stay
"Agree Hopgood needs a month in Reggie's. JDB is great at lock suring up our defence. He will kill it this week against Dragons. 
the Walker/JDB lock position is cemented in stone all year"
24 minutes ago
Sparky the Eel replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Your Team list v Dragons - Kelma must stay
"what if JDB was put on the bench for Doorey  & Williams stays at prop & Hopgood to lock ?
 "
52 minutes ago
Sparky the Eel replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Your Team list v Dragons - Kelma must stay
"Yes i agree with your team list 100% as for Hopegood i think he needs to find form in reggies or 17. 18 swap with Doorey 
I do think his form is not there .
 
In saying this do you guys think Moses last 2 games were not what he is capable of dishing…"
54 minutes ago
Sparky the Eel replied to ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER's discussion Tayon May my mate think mite be come to Parramatta
"Would Parra consider signing the May brothers from the Wests Tigers ?
I do think both would be a good get if possible for next sesaon aswe all know thanks to Lomax players contracts dont mean much.
 
For me the players i would like to snare from the…"
1 hour ago
LB replied to EelsAgeMe's discussion Ryles/Moses comments on Pezet
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1 hour ago
Phil Mann replied to EelsAgeMe's discussion Ryles/Moses comments on Pezet
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2 hours ago
LB replied to Pato's discussion Xerri
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2 hours ago
Sparky the Eel replied to Blue Gold Legend's discussion Radradra, Hayne or Sivo - Most NRL Tries
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2 hours ago
Sparky the Eel replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Why did fans want Ryles head after 1 game ?
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who i would go for if Parramatta board get their…"
2 hours ago
Sparky the Eel replied to Pato's discussion Xerri
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2 hours ago
Sparky the Eel replied to Offside's discussion Samrani vs Penisini
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As for Penisini i do think he lacks a passing game & rumour of him wanting to join Union with his mate Joseph i say let him go as his coin can be used for a better winger or 5/8 for next season
 
 "
2 hours ago
Longfin Eel replied to Offside's discussion Samrani vs Penisini
"Clearly, that doesn't guarantee success."
4 hours ago
Kurupt - Your Mums Favourite Thug replied to Pato's discussion Xerri
"Yeah, it's tough when you work with and break up with your partner. "
7 hours ago
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"The banned member returning, is it Wiz or Mark?
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