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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mongolian trotting duck replied to Roy tannous's discussion Eels offering Jordan samrani
"signed samrani from the dogs last year"
44 seconds ago
Darren Munro replied to Roy tannous's discussion Eels offering Jordan samrani
"Yes for me! Prefer Barnett over kman from souths which some people on here were willing to pay 1.2 million and sneeze at 800k for Barnett. Hopefully he is the same after knee injury and we get good use out of him. Shame we lose samrani in the…"
9 minutes ago
Zip zip replied to Roy tannous's discussion Eels offering Jordan samrani
"So if we land him, next year we'll have Dad's Army in our forward pack. Jr, JDB, Walker and Barnett
Lets hope he chooses Broncos over us. Don't want to lose Samrani and $860k for 3 years would basically mean we won't be shopping for any top line 5/8…"
12 minutes ago
The Captain replied to Roy tannous's discussion Eels offering Jordan samrani
"The Warriors are trying to do the right thing by Barnett who is asking to leave on compassionate grounds - so the Wah's are never going to get a dream swap. The names being floated are pretty mid but I guess they're better than nothing."
22 minutes ago
Parrafan101 replied to Roy tannous's discussion Eels offering Jordan samrani
"I have a sneaky feeling tago might come to parra."
1 hour ago
LB replied to Roy tannous's discussion Eels offering Jordan samrani
"I guess, if someone like Penisini or Nanva can kick on then even better but at this stage once one of the backline go down, the next man up goes in but after them?
But also if Warriors accept that for Barnett then it's crazy how they'll accept. A…"
1 hour ago
LB replied to Roy tannous's discussion Eels offering Jordan samrani
"De Belin has an option for 2027, it would surprise me if we get Barnett that we keep JBD if he is just ok this year. I mean if you are giving an option in our favour you have some concerns somewhere in his games or with his age.
Though we show more…"
1 hour ago
Parraborn1 replied to Roy tannous's discussion Eels offering Jordan samrani
"I don't know if you agree with me, disagree with me or are insulting me, but sure. That was a difficult read."
1 hour ago
LB replied to Roy tannous's discussion Eels offering Jordan samrani
"Well if you are referring to me Pops, you would see I said Samrani as a depth player is crucial due to what we have. I also said if we signed say Tago then I would be fine letting him go.
But yeah some here are saying he is a gun, when I feel he is…"
1 hour ago
LB replied to LB's discussion 1eE Modern day Eels team: Bench Props
"True."
1 hour ago
LB replied to LB's discussion 1eE Modern day Eels team: Bench Props
"Mannah didn't get a single vote in the first round for Props. I agree, he is undervalued. He was just around at the wrong time for us as he was there for 3 spoons and the non finals years."
1 hour ago
Poppa replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 2 Team List v Brisbane Broncos
"injured or Menopause.....you are obviously quiet young Mallee......do you realise what a menopausal woman could do to you as she "ripped" you apart.......Carlo and Mace, explain if we had a team of menopausal women, we wouldn't lose a game.....lots…"
1 hour ago
Poppa replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 2 Team List v Brisbane Broncos
"Did he let him go, or was he made an offer too good to refuse.....6 months ago you would have been applauding.......it would have been a committee meeting, not a single person decision.
If we are desperate to keep him and he he wants to stay..... a…"
1 hour ago
Poppa replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 2 Team List v Brisbane Broncos
"I hate to say it BEM, but I am coming around to your thinking somewhat....mind you have no problem with JDB.
Russell has been moved into the centres, I hope he stays there, if JAC drops out.
If we do cop another hiding (well on the cards) I hope he…"
2 hours ago
Poppa replied to Roy tannous's discussion Eels offering Jordan samrani
"Parraborn1
I happen to agree with your inference, I have aleady posted that it would be most unlike Parra to discuss such tactics in public. The journalist's seek out people like you who get taken, not for the right reasons, but because you can…"
2 hours ago
Poppa replied to Roy tannous's discussion Eels offering Jordan samrani
"Trouble is you guys get carried away with "flashy one offs" you don't like looking outside the box, to see what else we have or need. 
Samrani is promissing and has potential, but he is not going to be a destructive forward and more than likely a…"
2 hours ago
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