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 Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Or does Ryles see Smith as that link man once Da Silva comes on?"
2 minutes ago
Hector Bob Down replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Ahh come on you can do better than that. Looks like the chill pill hasn't been taken yet"
3 minutes ago
HKF replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"The cunt can't even admit his error, he can fuck right off ."
9 minutes ago
HKF replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Go fuck yourself "
10 minutes ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"I think he will get it. Hopefully it is he can be that middle we need and not have to buy one."
12 minutes ago
Hector Bob Down replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"That's a nice circle very good . I think it's time for your chill pill"
12 minutes ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"To play Devil's advocate HKF, Poppa at times replies to certain people commenting on another's post. Like he would reply to me by commenting on Coryn's post.
 
Maybe that is what happened? You are right, your comment was not complaining."
12 minutes ago
Nitram replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"This would shock me. Walker unlocks moses. But maybe Pezet will play that more traditional halfback link role opening up moses, who is super dangerous when running wider in space. Brown was not a very good first receiver Thus the need for walker."
13 minutes ago
HKF replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Maybe don't directly reply to a persons comment if you don't want t..."
16 minutes ago
Hector Bob Down replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Well happy days thanks for that glad you realised. But im sure you can do better than that as i said my post was not directed at you but at others if you still take it that way. Can't help that"
24 minutes ago
Hector Bob Down replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"👍 well put LB"
34 minutes ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Yeah great point. Hopefully Papali'i is 3rd choice. Even then not a great option."
34 minutes ago
Perpetual Motion replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Teancum is the smokie to debut this year."
34 minutes ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Well that wouldn't help us in the slightest, Walker is very important to our attack."
35 minutes ago
HKF replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"You replied to my comment so how can I take that any other way than you were referring to me. 
I'm not surprised there is no apology from you, your arrogance is well noted."
36 minutes ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion 1st teams list v sharks
"Listen dickhead don't start with me, Kelly to Centre and Russell will play Wing like been at training. If you have 2 brain cells put them together it will help in the long run. Maybe use the ones you use to constantly bitch and moan."
37 minutes ago
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1st teams list v sharks

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Vale Vince Fawcett

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