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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Latest comments

Parrafan101 replied to John Boyle's discussion Concerning Stat - Moses
"without moses most of our games we wouldd lose by 70."
6 minutes ago
Parrafan101 replied to John Boyle's discussion Concerning Stat - Moses
"By the time we create something, Moses throws a great ball and some knob head drops it."
6 minutes ago
Blue Eel replied to John Boyle's discussion Concerning Stat - Moses
"Wouldn't it be nice, if those around him could actually help get us into the oppositions 20m zone for Moses to shine in the try assist dept. Relying on Mitch's monster kicks to get us into position on the field can not do it all.
Im more concerned…"
34 minutes ago
LB replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion FB rumour.
"Question is why are Easts so desperate to move him on? An Origin Prop? Something is going on and not sure if that is good for us. I mean who knows maybe change of scenery is what he needs."
36 minutes ago
Gucci replied to John Boyle's discussion Concerning Stat - Moses
"Can't score a try.
1. if we can't hold onto the ball.
2. Can't cart the ball up field.
3. Have an average of 30 points scored against us which significantly drops our possession.
No try means no try assists.
 "
41 minutes ago
Zip zip replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion FB rumour.
"Agree. Had initially hoped Penisini developed into a decent centre but he hasn't. 
I'm now hoping Samrani could be that guy that solves our centre issue. "
47 minutes ago
Simon Priestly replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion FB rumour.
"Was hoping somebody else thought that, for the right price, id be more than happy to have him in the side. Out of favor at the moment, but a damaging off the back fence forward when hes on! "
57 minutes ago
Hell On Eels replied to Parra-all-the-way's discussion Ryles pressor
"Captain, That's a fair encapsulation of it. Well said.
The media made a point of it as well. Immediately.
It will be interesting to see if the media press him on it this week. And I wonder if he'll 'sigh' or have a 'chesire cat' smile about it.
I…"
1 hour ago
Coryn Hughes replied to John Boyle's discussion Concerning Stat - Moses
"Simple fix and I think they understand now get him playing both sides so he has the ability to affect the game more and to improve the mentioned stat.
You can't improve a stat like that if your fowards are getting arseholed it's one of those media…"
1 hour ago
John Boyle replied to John Boyle's discussion Concerning Stat - Moses
"I understand your point but as I stated above, Dean Hawkins had less of a problem than what Moses is having."
1 hour ago
Rabz S replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion FB rumour.
"There is also a rumour going around Leniu is on the outer at the rorters. They are happy to pay freight and would be interested in getting him out before June 30.
At the right price, he'd be a good signing."
1 hour ago
Josh d replied to John Boyle's discussion Concerning Stat - Moses
"I think this is more an indication of the players around him. How many good lines do you see players like guymer and other forwards running to score tries. Or outside backs getting in a position to score. "
1 hour ago
The Captain replied to Parra-all-the-way's discussion Ryles pressor
"It's just leadership shadow stuff - Ryles will learn with time. It's annoying, but as a leader everyone listens to every single word. There's no such thing as an "offhand comment" anymore. It'll all be analysed and used. 
Irritating, kinda silly,…"
1 hour ago
Parra_Greg replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Eels ask for Sua 2026
"100% agree"
1 hour ago
Parra_Greg replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Eels ask for Sua 2026
"Farnworth "Something" "may"....WTFF"
1 hour ago
Who Cares replied to Alfred Mateo's discussion Saifiti medical retirement. Matterson-nothing to see here
"And Choc Mundine still thinks he was the best player in the world when he played"
1 hour ago
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Concerning Stat - Moses

I have been keeping a close eye on the performance of Moses lately, one concerning stat I have come across is that over the last 3 years he is only producing a try assist every second game on average.I'm a little bit concerned by this stat to be…

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