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 Parra-all-the-way's discussion Rumour: Kodi nikorina to super league
"I wasn't disagreeing with your overall point. I was more talking about the use of "subjective". Opinions on a player's ability are subjective, but his market is largely determined by what clubs are willing to offer. And I wasn't annoyed, just…"
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SuperEel 22 replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Should we keep Kelma?
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8 minutes ago
Poppa replied to Parra-all-the-way's discussion Rumour: Kodi nikorina to super league
"Never disagreed with you LB, just explained the subjectiveness of "his market" you are getting a bit sensitive in your old age, too much time on social media.
PS No need to be getting old and cantankerous at your age....leave it to us silly old…"
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Richard Jackson replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R15 v Raiders: Response or Reward? (W15-12, Gritty)
"I see that to JC"
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LB replied to Parra-all-the-way's discussion Rumour: Kodi nikorina to super league
"Doesn't that actually support my point? If Super League is offering the security of a three-year deal while NRL clubs aren't, that's a reflection of his market. Market isn't just ability, it's what clubs are prepared to offer and for how long.
So…"
57 minutes ago
Eli Stephens replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Should we keep Kelma?
"Yeah he's running over half's every week atm. Him and Kautoga have been damaging "
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LB replied to Parra-all-the-way's discussion Rumour: Kodi nikorina to super league
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LB replied to Parra-all-the-way's discussion Rumour: Kodi nikorina to super league
"I wouldn't be giving Volkman a massive deal but a 1-2 year deal is fair."
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Poppa replied to CarloEEL2's discussion Trust Riccio to stand up for Klein
"You may find that legally they could do nothing about it with regard to a straight out sacking.
Proper management would have limited his opportunities and eventually settled him back in Reserve Grade.
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2 hours ago
Poppa replied to Parra-all-the-way's discussion Rumour: Kodi nikorina to super league
""His market" is subjective LB, his future at SL is probably a 3 year deal, which will see him home, realistically he probably like most of us, see about one good year left in him for NRL.....
I would take Nikorima if we cannot get what we want, he…"
2 hours ago
Poppa replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: Judgements are being made but not understood or maybe even appreciated!
"That's why I would have you as one of the Generals in charge Cappy.....no more "The Captain" from now on the General, I love good leadership, it  become's great in good hands!
Let the soldiers follow and the Generals lead, wish I was your age Cappy…"
3 hours ago
Longfin Eel replied to Parra-all-the-way's discussion Rumour: Kodi nikorina to super league
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3 hours ago
Adam Magrath replied to Parra-all-the-way's discussion Rumour: Kodi nikorina to super league
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3 hours ago
LB replied to Parra-all-the-way's discussion Rumour: Kodi nikorina to super league
"Who knows if we were talking to him. But also, if he goes to SL, I think that says a lot about his market at the moment and what all the other teams think.
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3 hours ago
Parra fan on The Hill replied to Parra-all-the-way's discussion Rumour: Kodi nikorina to super league
"Wise words. "
4 hours ago
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