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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Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓 replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R7 v Dogs: The M*A*S*H Unit
"This is the year for a bet muttman  $8 won't last long mate "
1 minute ago
Prof. Daz replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R7 v Dogs: The M*A*S*H Unit
"HOE, they're saying (what they think to be) the right things in interviews. Last week an "unacceptable" response. Injuries "no excuse" and new players must meet the opposition. Must come out "physical". Must "compete for 80 minutes". Of course it…"
8 minutes ago
Hector Bob Down replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R7 v Dogs: The M*A*S*H Unit
"Thanks Mutts let's see what happens hey "
20 minutes ago
Parra_Greg replied to EelsAgeMe's discussion Drinking the pre season Kool-aid
"We dont have an Identity anymore...we havent in a long time and it got worse after 2018 and all the fines and governance changes....the club is now run by bean counters and lawyers who look at the bottom line of a rich leagues club full of pokkie…"
26 minutes ago
Muttman replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R7 v Dogs: The M*A*S*H Unit
"Good luck mate. Dogs supporters are the worst. "
34 minutes ago
Hector Bob Down replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R7 v Dogs: The M*A*S*H Unit
"Families all good bud and the nags as well . Starting to build up getting pretty anxious and nervous .But hey it's only a game Hey🙄🙄"
34 minutes ago
Hell On Eels replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R7 v Dogs: The M*A*S*H Unit
"Teams finalized. JDB starts at lock. Brown & Lorenzo retained on the bench.
Curran at centre for Tuala. "
36 minutes ago
Hell On Eels replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R7 v Dogs: The M*A*S*H Unit
"Haha, Daz. Thanks, mate. 
If the trend of this year continues, we may fight hard (and still lose).
Train-wreck. Fight. Fight. Train-wreck. Fight. Train-wreck. ?
Or we may end up falling into an abyss. 
 "
42 minutes ago
Hell On Eels replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R7 v Dogs: The M*A*S*H Unit
"Well said, Coryn. I'd say that's all JR and the club wants to see too."
45 minutes ago
Hell On Eels replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R7 v Dogs: The M*A*S*H Unit
"Thanks, NOS. Hope you’re well, man. Great to see you posting.
I’m looking for fight, even if we lose by some margin.
We won't beat the Dogs through systems. Ciraldo is a faithful disciple of impeccible Clearyian systems. And ours our still forming.…"
45 minutes ago
Hell On Eels replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R7 v Dogs: The M*A*S*H Unit
"Haha, Thanks Hector. There are good things happening behind the scenes.  Hope you and the family are all well mate. How's the atmosphere at the game? 
 "
48 minutes ago
Hell On Eels replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R7 v Dogs: The M*A*S*H Unit
"Thanks, Cap. That's exactly what I'm looking for. Fight.
­• Flat to start, fell off a cliff (esp. 20-mins in second half, R1, Storm). Blowout.• Fight back, grit (R2-R3) Close.• Flatlined (R4, Panthers) Blowout.• Fight back, grit, scramble (R5,…"
49 minutes ago
EelsAgeMe replied to EelsAgeMe's discussion Drinking the pre season Kool-aid
"The media and journalists must have been backing us since 1986. "
1 hour ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R7 v Dogs: The M*A*S*H Unit
""
1 hour ago
LB replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R7 v Dogs: The M*A*S*H Unit
"Awesome, if you cannot don't stress but if you are able with both Ball and Matts wrapped up could you maybe do a mid-season report on some juniors? Maybe an idea who could be into Cup or NRL in next few years? 
Again, that takes time and if you…"
1 hour ago
Hector Bob Down replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R7 v Dogs: The M*A*S*H Unit
"Getting ready to go to our permanent seats you can bet there will bulldog supporters all around us . Definitely not looking forward to this . But you never know know hey🙄🙄"
1 hour ago
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