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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Michael W. replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"This is how much the NRL looks after the "glamour" clubs. Shibasaki, current SOO and Australian rep, is on a miserly $140k this year. How does the NRL accept this."
4 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"He will fight for the vacant Port Kembla Heavyweight title and make a motza in pay-per-veiw...because everyone hates him now and watching him take some head-shots would be cathartic....villans get paid."
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"Love how ryles is giving the young ones a crack"
9 hours ago
LB replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"They have never been in a position of not getting what they want. They said when first started Ryles should just tell the board to let him go as they let him go, despite not letting him touch Storm players for 12 months, they also said the Sydney…"
12 hours ago
LB replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"Yeah they have backs but also how often do they get Origin talent?"
12 hours ago
Troy Wade replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"I'm sick of all the attention this bloke is getting. Go play bush footy for 3 years. End of story. You made your bed - now sleep on it..The NRL and the Storm can well and truely go get f....."
13 hours ago
DYNASTY.LOADING replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"Only reason I think he remains at the club is on a minimum wage deal to have someone integrated in the culture available as an experienced head in NSW cup to help steer the team around. I agree he is not going to be a priority signing and he hasn't…"
13 hours ago
Prof. Daz replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"LB, that's fake news. It's bright as F down here in Melbourne. Except for 5 mins from now when it will be snowing. But bright again 2 mins later. Then a solar eclipse. Then sunny. Maybe that's why Storm have are grasping, they just don't know what's…"
13 hours ago
Prof. Daz replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"Brett Kenny is the howwwwwse?"
13 hours ago
mongolian trotting duck replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"very much doubt volkman will get extended dynasty"
13 hours ago
Clintorian replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"They have a great young backline, I'd be surprised if Sticky tried to bring Lomax in and break that. Could be wrong though"
14 hours ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"Please explain!!!"
14 hours ago
EA replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"Lorima Seuseu has the potential to be our best outside back produced at the club in a very long time. He is like Makisini from the Tigers. I rate him more than any other centre and winger in the juniors at the eels. However he only turns 16 this…"
14 hours ago
DYNASTY.LOADING replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"Swap out Jackson Ford for Marata then. Ford is a goer who is from Wollongong I believe. "
14 hours ago
DYNASTY.LOADING replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"No AI"
14 hours ago
Poppa replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"Dynasty, do you realise that Walker is 32 next birthday and De Bellin is 34 and Paulo 33. I could not imagine seeing Walker in great demand, 2 years may see him out of Parra into retirement. The 2 forwards De Bellin and Paulo will have there time…"
14 hours ago
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Keaon done deal

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14 Replies · Reply by Poppa Jan 9
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