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 ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"From memory, they let Ryles leave early once he was announced as Eels coach, on the condition that he not approach any storm players for 12 months, which he abided by"
58 seconds ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"We are having restraint of trade standoff in this lomax saga and this stooge vlandys says a ten-year blackban is "legally sound"...he was lying and he knows it, they haven't tested shit, hence why he is now shuffling about mumbling to himself...It's…"
18 minutes ago
Anguillidae replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"So you don't think that emails between the games governing body and the Melbourne Storm (that directly relate to Zac Lomax's contract and terms of release) are relevant? "
22 minutes ago
Poppa replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"Yobz  you said the following: I'd like discovery of V'Landy's emails to see why he suddenly backflipped on the 360 ban". 
Why would the discovery of these emails have any influence over the courts decision? i.e Melbourne is being talked about…"
35 minutes ago
Yobz replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"I'd like discovery of V'Landy's emails to see why he suddenly backflipped on the R360 ban. Eels already requested emails from the Storm, so emails between Storm and V'Landys should be in there also.
 I found these quotes in a Nine news article:…"
1 hour ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"Even better take another player, being Matterson, for $300k.
Like someone saying "Hey can i have your $1.1 mil valued house? Here is $500k. Oh not enough? We will take out that big tree that is causing damage to the backyard for you as well".
I mean…"
2 hours ago
est_88 replied to Steel be with you's discussion 2026 Parramatta Eels Season Preview
"Will defo give it a listen on my way home, interested on other fans predictions. I feel as though Jonah will add so much to our team he seems like the kind of kid, even knowing he is moving to Brisbane as of 2027, that he isn't here just as a…"
2 hours ago
Hell On Eels replied to Steel be with you's discussion 2026 Parramatta Eels Season Preview
"A good preview, Steel. A neat wrap up. Short and sweet. Relaxed. No expletives. Thumbs up."
3 hours ago
iamnot replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"Didn't Ryles have an additional clause in his contract relating to Bellamy? That is, if Bellamy signed on for another season, Ryles weas free to just walk?"
6 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"When that's what's coming out of their pieholes you know they are flapping.
It's not even another fruit, it's like comparing Apples & Dildos 
( I see that you have overcome your crippling Porn addiction Kurupt...good on you)"
6 hours ago
Kurupt - He Be Trippin On A Matt replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"True, Ryles would have a get out clause and he would have been the one who applied for the Eels job, Parra didn't need to do sh!t with the Storm. He's trying to compare apples with oranges."
10 hours ago
KENDOZA replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"Wouldn't it"
15 hours ago
Steel be with you replied to Steel be with you's discussion 2026 Parramatta Eels Season Preview
"I agree with what you are saying. I think if everyone stays fit including Moses than they can make the top 8."
15 hours ago
Mallee57 replied to Steel be with you's discussion 2026 Parramatta Eels Season Preview
"I think the Eels will make the top 8 so long as they remain injury free particularly for Mitch Moses. I think the Eels new players will add a lot of X factor. I'm hoping this Lomax issue is done and dusted before season kick off and Lomax gets what…"
17 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"so you're saying he is a fucking snake. Got it."
17 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
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