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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Acme replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Forgot about Boodsey!
Do we still have one or two top 30 spots available? We may be forced to make a deal if we get a serious injury"
1 hour ago
EA replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"He will surpise you with his ball playing with other forwards. As I just said a quick short ball at the line while looking to play out the back. He did it very well a few times in NSW Cup last yer,"
1 hour ago
EA replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Ye. Well Coinakis did the NRL preseason till December break before returning to JF which is where he will start the year. Ideally he would be our 3rd choice hooker next year as he should progress to NSW cup at some point this year. But we still need…"
1 hour ago
Acme replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Ha! I sincerely hope that switching Hopgood between prop and hooker is not the back up plan!
We had Lussick and Hands in 2024 so having Smith and Da Silva now maybe feels like we have more depth, but we don't, just better quality players. It was a…"
1 hour ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"I think Ryles is taking last year's slow start into consideration.  Our first few rounds seemed like we lacked match fitness.   "
2 hours ago
Stevo replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Depends on whether he can own the position and keep up, he's defiently got huge potential 
 "
2 hours ago
Stevo replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Its hard for some to focus on the positives mate. I think they all forget that this is only our first trial of 2026 and as per every other year we always field a team full of youngsters and a sprinkle of 1st graders 
 "
2 hours ago
Blue Eel replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"yeah thanks guys, I was surprised, i just don't see him ball playing like a walker, Hopgood, DeBellin, etc. That surprised me. Mind you none are as good as Walker at it, from lock."
3 hours ago
Clintorian replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Twiddle has more upside being able to play wing, FB and 5/8, so I'd have him on the wings in NSW Cup over Tago. "
3 hours ago
Clintorian replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Not a fan at lock, he runs a good line and makes a good mobile prop, but I've never seen him play lock, so who knows?"
3 hours ago
EA replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"I agree but from my understanding he has only trained at fullback for the past 2 years so not sure if the club are considering to explore his utlity value."
3 hours ago
EA replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"I feel that people have been so focused on our shortage in the outside backs that they have not realised that our depth at dummy half is arguably even worse."
3 hours ago
Hector Bob Down replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Yep me to"
4 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"C'mon Joash, Bring that energy but show us what you've learned buddy.
My hopes aren't super high and I don't know why, but I really want to see the kid succeed"
4 hours ago
Hector Bob Down replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Next Sunday "
4 hours ago
Bubba j replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Good to see so many young guys getting a run Teancum Brown seems like he is going to get a start this year  in the top grade "
4 hours ago
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