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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EA replied to EA's discussion Loko Pasifiki Tonga requests immediate release
"to me our top 5 juniors that we have that haven't played nrl yet is Lorenzo (20), Petrus (19), Koina (19), Seuseu (16) and Popo (20). Popo hasn't played much this year due to injury but last years form puts him on this list for me. Could argue the…"
4 hours ago
Kurupt - Your Mums Favourite Thug replied to EA's discussion Loko Pasifiki Tonga requests immediate release
"I'm getting word out of Mexico that Loko is crazy."
5 hours ago
Yeah Man replied to EA's discussion Loko Pasifiki Tonga requests immediate release
"Is Ryda, Petrus and Fletcher the best juniors we have?
 "
5 hours ago
LB replied to EA's discussion Loko Pasifiki Tonga requests immediate release
"If it was possible to do why haven't other rubbish teams done so? It sounds simple in theory but it just isn't and what it will take to get Yeo and Cleary here would destroy our cap. Added to that Yeo is 33 next year, how long til he declines?"
5 hours ago
EA replied to EA's discussion Loko Pasifiki Tonga requests immediate release
"Pryke is the 7th player from the 2023 SG ball winning team to make their NRL debut. Alamadine and Vaivea were the wingers in that team and they are in nsw cup. TBH i dont either are NRL quality. Lynn and De Stradis are playing Qcup.
So essentially…"
6 hours ago
EA replied to EA's discussion Loko Pasifiki Tonga requests immediate release
"We have good juniors coming through for sure. The next wave starting with Lorenzo should start playing more NRL from next year. Then Petrus, Koina, Popo and others should follow"
6 hours ago
KENDOZA replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 7 Team List v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
"They won't"
6 hours ago
Yeah Man replied to EA's discussion Loko Pasifiki Tonga requests immediate release
"Is talk of our juniors being good just talk or do we have at least something to look forward to."
6 hours ago
Parrafan101 replied to Yeah Man's discussion Worst forward pack ever in team history?
"That has to be the most scariest thing to happen, but could pivot so much in growth of our younger guys. Everything happens for a reason. "
7 hours ago
Parrafan101 replied to EA's discussion Loko Pasifiki Tonga requests immediate release
"These are players we need, they are culture driven players. I'll sign watson as well, add Tago to our side as well. Winners and Heart thats what this club needs to be built on. If im Ryles ill go all in to sign Yeo or Cleary, you've got to do it for…"
7 hours ago
Joel K replied to Yeah Man's discussion Worst forward pack ever in team history?
"Smith is playing injured and we don't have anybody in cup to give him a rest"
7 hours ago
Parrafan101 replied to Roy tannous's discussion We’re gonna get bent over
"Can't see us win this, in order to win they need to play simple basic footy with a bit of defence. But we aren't willing to grind games down like we did in 2019-22. Ryles coaching is making these boys play to chaotic, when everyone should know what…"
7 hours ago
Yehez replied to Roy tannous's discussion We’re gonna get bent over
"What if we win tho"
7 hours ago
LB replied to EA's discussion Loko Pasifiki Tonga requests immediate release
"I would argue you still do need experience, but I also have said we could do with two middles."
7 hours ago
Joel K replied to EA's discussion Loko Pasifiki Tonga requests immediate release
"We wouldn't need an established prop if we get him as he is first grade ready but I've only seen Titans and Bulldogs linked to him"
8 hours ago
HH - Love You Iongi Time! replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 7 Team List v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
"There are too many variables to consider all up. The only constant being opportunity. Lorenzo, in all seriousness, may not be ready round 1 next year. The continual imbalance of rosters between FG and Cup due to injury could hinder his progress all…"
8 hours ago
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