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 Kurupt - Your Mums Favourite Thug's discussion DISGRACEFUL REFEREEING AGAIN!!!
"Issue with performance clauses are how do you know if they have met them? There will never be such a thing as clear cut refereeing where everyone is happy or satisfied with their performance. Some more than others we like but still it would be so…"
1 hour ago
DYNASTY.LOADING replied to Kurupt - Your Mums Favourite Thug's discussion DISGRACEFUL REFEREEING AGAIN!!!
"What would be the performance clauses? They already have metrics they are graded on which is the reason we are in this mess. Trying to get it perfect is the issue.
 "
1 hour ago
mongolian trotting duck replied to Kurupt - Your Mums Favourite Thug's discussion DISGRACEFUL REFEREEING AGAIN!!!
"we got 1 when samrani scored"
1 hour ago
Angry Eel replied to Kurupt - Your Mums Favourite Thug's discussion DISGRACEFUL REFEREEING AGAIN!!!
"The refs are probably one of the biggest issues in the game. Problem is they are a protected species and never accountable.
Klein is on around 300k per year, I'd like to see that number dropped to $150k with say 300k worth high performance…"
1 hour ago
BringBackSemi replied to Kurupt - Your Mums Favourite Thug's discussion DISGRACEFUL REFEREEING AGAIN!!!
"This week and last, I'm gobsmacked at some of the decisions. Some of them are just blatantly wrong. How Ryles hasn't lost his shit is beyond me. Haven't watched last night's presser though. 
The defense has certainly improved, although what the…"
2 hours ago
Poppa replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: Judgements are being made but not understood or maybe even appreciated!
"How about "we build it" and they will come!"
2 hours ago
Mannah-Brow replied to CarloEEL2's discussion Trust Riccio to stand up for Klein
"Allowing Klein to referee while having a gambling addiction is absolutely mortifying.  The fact it was allowed shows how amateurish the NRL really is. No professional organisation would allow this due to the perception of possible corruption. Just…"
2 hours ago
Poppa replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: Judgements are being made but not understood or maybe even appreciated!
""If you PAY them, they will come"
Sounds like a Hooker! "
2 hours ago
Poppa replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: Judgements are being made but not understood or maybe even appreciated!
"Yes all we all have assholes and your rhetoric is correct, but whilst some stink more than other's, there is always an odour about them!
Lets see if we can follow a good diet and keep the odour at a level where we can avoid us gagging!"
2 hours ago
Poppa replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: Judgements are being made but not understood or maybe even appreciated!
"Hilly,  "
"A quality player makes surrounding players better."
Do you think that anyone would disagree with that Hilly.....but it is just the same "pure rhetoric".
 "
2 hours ago
Angry Eel replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: Judgements are being made but not understood or maybe even appreciated!
"I guess if I had all the answers I'd put my hand up to be in charge at Parra. Opinions are like arseholes we all have them some stink more than others. "
2 hours ago
Poppa replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: Judgements are being made but not understood or maybe even appreciated!
"Sloth, thanks for your compliments. Over paying is only relevant in certain circumstances, I am more than happy to go along with that. Idealogy of mine is pay peanuts you get monkeys.....stay patient mate, "winning" is just as big an artform when…"
2 hours ago
Parra fan on The Hill replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: Judgements are being made but not understood or maybe even appreciated!
"We need something to get excited about for 2027. Nothing seems to be happening. The current crop of players will not get anymore than 10 wins next year and that's being optimistic. No junior superstar close to debuting. Only decent back ups as…"
2 hours ago
Poppa replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: Judgements are being made but not understood or maybe even appreciated!
"Hilly, It easily said but I am not sure if you have the answers at a level past the original question.....we need!
Yes we can pay money/overs, no need for "stupid" to enter the equation at any point.....remember do to we want them along the lines of…"
2 hours ago
Poppa replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: Judgements are being made but not understood or maybe even appreciated!
"yeh! we are not far off when you tie it altogether!
As i said you are a smart man AE."
2 hours ago
Parra fan on The Hill replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: Judgements are being made but not understood or maybe even appreciated!
"This.
A quality player makes surrounding players better.
 "
3 hours ago
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