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 Mallee57's discussion What another Boring Year for Eels Fans
"Big claim considering in 30 games Ryles has double the wins Kearney had. But definately not a good look."
19 minutes ago
LB replied to EelsAgeMe's discussion What’s the Deal with De Belin?
"Though by the time he was on, damage was done."
21 minutes ago
LB replied to EelsAgeMe's discussion What’s the Deal with De Belin?
"I think, for this week anyway, if you put Walker on the bench then your bench is Walker, Da Silva, Mataele and Pryke. De Belin adds a little more size and experience i guess. Ryles might want that experience getting through the tough work towards…"
21 minutes ago
Hector Bob Down replied to Mallee57's discussion What another Boring Year for Eels Fans
""
30 minutes ago
Hector Bob Down replied to Mallee57's discussion What another Boring Year for Eels Fans
"Thanks Randy ill just ignore the poor delusional fool from now on you still got sluggys pig that might be better 😂"
35 minutes ago
Hector Bob Down replied to EelsAgeMe's discussion What’s the Deal with De Belin?
"Agree and time will tell"
46 minutes ago
Collaroy Eel replied to Angry Eel's discussion Another Ricky Stuart spray coming
"Was thinking the same.. the dolphins defended what felt like 8 sets of six in their own half for a period in the first half. They couldn't win a trick. Then in the second riff were awarded a six again and lost the ball within 2 secs and it was play…"
1 hour ago
Collaroy Eel replied to EelsAgeMe's discussion What’s the Deal with De Belin?
"Have been thinking the same. At the very least he brings experience to an inexperienced team. Did he flirt with the coaches mrs or something "
1 hour ago
Adam Magrath replied to EelsAgeMe's discussion What’s the Deal with De Belin?
"Key signing is a slight exaggeration. I thought he stiffened up our defence when he was on last week."
1 hour ago
Coryn Hughes replied to EelsAgeMe's discussion What’s the Deal with De Belin?
"Father Time is undefeated."
2 hours ago
Coryn Hughes replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Jaydn Su’A Commits to Parramatta Eels (Official Club Statement)
"I don't even worry about how much if we go for Farnworth and end up like chiefs post Averillo and or Tago.Again we seemingly struggle to attract the best guys and end up with a teams discards."
3 hours ago
Coryn Hughes replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Jaydn Su’A Commits to Parramatta Eels (Official Club Statement)
"Well that time is almost upon us if you have a look at the batch we have in the top 30 you can probably honestly say they aren't it.There isn't the firepower there to win a premiership.You can look at this 2 ways are we committed to winnning in…"
3 hours ago
EA replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Jaydn Su’A Commits to Parramatta Eels (Official Club Statement)
"How much money would people offer Herbie? 900k-1M?"
7 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Angry Eel's discussion Another Ricky Stuart spray coming
"I am cursed with an eternal thick mane of super sexy hair....it may be greying now but it' still wouldn't look out of place in a Pantene commercial. "
8 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Mallee57's discussion What another Boring Year for Eels Fans
"Throwing stones at one of the most rusted on folks here eh mallee? Bold tactic for a bitchy-bumblefuck such as yourself.
Hector is a genuine good bloke known here for his humility and the fact that he is never a whiney little bitch like you on blog…"
8 hours ago
Yehez replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Jaydn Su’A Commits to Parramatta Eels (Official Club Statement)
"Rudolph and Suluka-Fifita?!?!?!?!?!
 "
8 hours ago
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What’s the Deal with De Belin?

We’re down to a third rate squad, yet he’s still coming off the bench. Is he carrying something, or just not in favour at the moment? He was brought in as a key signing and used to play big minutes at the Dragons ...  I know that doesn't count for…

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