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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Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Your best 19 vs Storm
"Thats a good side bem. Joash looked more confident and stronger in the trials, and his quick footwork really confused the opposition. If he's on the bench he needs to get onto the park"
1 hour ago
Yehez replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Your best 19 vs Storm
"Iongi; JAC, Russell, Penisini, Simonsson; Pezet, Moses;
Hopgood, Smith, Paulo; Williams, Kautoga; Doorey. 
Bench: Da Silva, Tuivati, De Belin, Walker, Samrani, Papalii. "
2 hours ago
BEM replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Your best 19 vs Storm

1. Iongi 
2. JAC
3. Russell 
4. Penisini
5. Simo 
6. Papali'i 
7. Moses
8. Paulo 
9. Smith
10. Williams 
11. Tuilagi 
12. Kautoga 
13. Hopgood
14. Walker
15. Tuivaiti
16. Dorey
17. Samrani 
18. Da Silva "
2 hours ago
LB replied to Roy tannous's discussion Matto most likely gonna medically retire
"Pappy as in Papenhuyzen? When we have Iongi signed til 2030?"
3 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Roy tannous's discussion Matto most likely gonna medically retire
"huh?...do wkat now?"
3 hours ago
Make Parra Great Again replied to Roy tannous's discussion Matto most likely gonna medically retire
"once he is retired, Pappy comes in into take his top 30 spot... u heard it here first"
3 hours ago
ParraPride replied to Roy tannous's discussion Matto most likely gonna medically retire
"Get rid of him!"
3 hours ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Your best 19 vs Storm
"But how long is he willing to give himself? If Smith is still starting by the end of 2027 and he is extended with intent to start in 2028, what will Da Silva do then?I would love to know if Ryles intent is for Da Silva to eventually be the starting…"
4 hours ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Your best 19 vs Storm
"I saw TDS try to pressure the kicker at times last night but not as consistent or forceful as Smith.
I love your analogy of how TDS read his own hype and thinks he can just play and be amazing. Where Smith is the opposite where he has had to grind…"
4 hours ago
TolEllts replied to Blue Eel's discussion Trial #2, Game Day Blog v Roosters: We Just Won the Pre-Season Cup
"EA, you have a keen eye for players especially those with with real potentials. Appreciate your updates on our juniors."
4 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Roy tannous's discussion Matto most likely gonna medically retire
"You're a good man. I salute your empathy and offer of practical help for the disabled"
4 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Your best 19 vs Storm
"He is also a fast learner apparently"
4 hours ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Your best 19 vs Storm
"That's the thing for me the game got away from us when TDS came into the game.
When Smith finished the game you saw defensively the ruck tighten back up and the service and attack clicked into gear.
I'm definitely on the fence with TDS potential is…"
5 hours ago
Angry Eel replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Your best 19 vs Storm
"I'm not trying to dump on TDS. Injustice thinks he's spent too much time on the bench playing Robin to Api and now Riley, he's needs a bit of time playing Batman again "
5 hours ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Your best 19 vs Storm
"I personally prefer one Hooker and have a Utility that can play Hooker. Now with 6 man bench you can do that every week in case of injury.
I can see Ryles sticking with 2 but then maybe by mid year relying on one."
5 hours ago
Eelovution replied to Roy tannous's discussion Matto most likely gonna medically retire
"I will drive him to the neurologist to make sure he gets there on time."
5 hours ago
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