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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Mallee57 replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Will Penasini out - Jordan Samrani in
"Rather Samrani! Does seem odd given the speculation of swapping him for old Barnett. Penisini can be really great at times and then really off at other times. Samrani has been very impressive and seems very strong and determined which is what Parra…"
4 hours ago
Michael W. replied to LB's discussion 1eE Modern day Eels team: Bench back-rower
"Hard one LB.
Ben Smith, Widders, Mateo, Andrew Ryan, Nuikori, Beau Scott."
4 hours ago
Parra fan on The Hill replied to Roy tannous's discussion Eels offering Jordan samrani
"We'll they can see what most of us see and say in here. "
7 hours ago
Parra fan on The Hill replied to Roy tannous's discussion Eels offering Jordan samrani
"I really like Samrani but if JR decides to give him up for MB I think that is a massive mistake. 
IMO Samrani should be 1st drop for either centre/ wing if one of our starters is out. Brian Kelly is bog average and not going to get better. 
Samrani…"
7 hours ago
Parraboy replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Will Penasini out - Jordan Samrani in
"So u boys reckon he was signed for depth? I was hoping we'd see him combine with Fox on the left, but Ryles knows more. Samrani has the jump on him? we have too sit and watch tomorrow night. Stressing "
7 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Will Penasini out - Jordan Samrani in
"Yes going off those stats he's definitely picked up an injury "
8 hours ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Will Penasini out - Jordan Samrani in
""Hey Will, want a free all expenses paid trip to Auckland?"
"Oh boy would I?.....wait aren't we playing this week? Hello, Jason?""
8 hours ago
Darren Munro replied to Roy tannous's discussion Eels offering Jordan samrani
"Mo would be a good get! ✌"
8 hours ago
Clintorian replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Will Penasini out - Jordan Samrani in
"Penisini was not our problem last week. I know he makes a few dumb mistakes, but we have bigger problems than him. "
9 hours ago
Nightmare Off-Season replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Will Penasini out - Jordan Samrani in
"Stats aren't everything, but:
Penisini V the Storm
13 runs for 157m (Eels 2nd best - Iongi 159m)
PCM's - 52 (Eels 2nd best - Kitione 62m)
Tackle Breaks - 6 (Eels 2nd best - Iongi 7)
Line breaks - 2 (Eels best, we only had 3 all up) 
Tackles 9 / 4…"
9 hours ago
Nightmare Off-Season replied to Roy tannous's discussion Eels offering Jordan samrani
"Well said, Coryn.
If those figures (850k/900k) are accurate, you’d think it’s for this season also - which is possible with the compassionate reasoning?
I doubt Samrani is really being offered but we are a far better team with Barnett than without…"
9 hours ago
Angry Eel replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Will Penasini out - Jordan Samrani in
"Maybe Penisini has been traded to the warriors for Barnett lol"
9 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Will Penasini out - Jordan Samrani in
"I think the situation says more about Samrani 's rise rather than what's happening with Penasini "
9 hours ago
Titan replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Will Penasini out - Jordan Samrani in
"Well done Samrani. About time Will was dropped. Horrendous defender, slow, can't pass."
9 hours ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Will Penasini out - Jordan Samrani in
"Not sure if he is dropped. More likely copped a knock. But if he is dropped, it shows Ryles doesn't give a you know what about feelings of playerrs."
9 hours ago
Eels95 replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Will Penasini out - Jordan Samrani in
"Id be shocked if he was dropped. We were terrible last week. You don't just drop 1 person after that to prove a point. Could have picked up a niggle we didn't see or something at training. "
9 hours ago
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Can Pezet leave already

Jeez..The amount of articles I've seen of Jonah glazing Brisbane and talking bout Ezra and Reece.Not even being focused on us.That could be a massive issue if his heads already in Brisbane and his not focused here.Fck I still hate this signing,just…

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