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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LB replied to Roy tannous's discussion Rnd 1 team vs storm
"I haven't thought so ever, though I hope I can be proven wrong as it means we have a great player at 6."
4 hours ago
Poppa replied to Roy tannous's discussion Rnd 1 team vs storm
"1.Isaiah Iongi 
2.Will Pensini    (probably won't happen) change with Russell. Still think Penisini would make a great winger!
3.Sean Russell......Parra's best defensive centre....is that enough?
4.Brian Kelly
5.Josh AddoCarr
6.Jonah Pezet…"
4 hours ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Roy tannous's discussion Rnd 1 team vs storm
"Don't think he's it I think they've shown there intentions at 6.
Pezets walking right into that 6 left sided spot.
They went hunting for Galvin.
While id like to think Joash has a shot from what I'm seeing he's not it because as soon as a better…"
4 hours ago
Poppa replied to Roy tannous's discussion Rnd 1 team vs storm
"Matt Burton is my long term 6 LB. Then you are looking at Premierships. He's the seat that Pezet is warming ( I think that's the real reason they only wanted Pezet for the year?)
Our juniors at the 6 level for NRL are all perhap'sers"
4 hours ago
LB replied to Roy tannous's discussion Rnd 1 team vs storm
"Big year for Joash, hopefully he can turn into a really good 6 like you think he can Poppa."
5 hours ago
Blue Eel replied to GM's discussion Welcome BK
"Daz, are we able to consider that fantastic chip and chase , regather and score, whilst awesome and deserves its own highlight reel, are we able to consider it, dare i say a fluke. I'm leaning more towards he has had his 15 minutes of fame. A great…"
5 hours ago
Poppa replied to GM's discussion Welcome BK
"context Adnan....not sure what you mean and how it fits the discussion."
6 hours ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Buzz Rothfeild SMH - A Howarth Lomax Swap Deal?
"I actually would too, since he would be returning with his tail between his legs. He would have a point to prove."
6 hours ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Buzz Rothfeild SMH - A Howarth Lomax Swap Deal?
"Pissed, wrote on my phone 😂😂😂"
6 hours ago
Poppa replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Buzz Rothfeild SMH - A Howarth Lomax Swap Deal?
"I'll take the bet and have a dollar at 100/1....it was a piss take and I did say he is not the sharpest tool in the shed.  I think Eli was just playing the game " with a straight bat"."
7 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Buzz Rothfeild SMH - A Howarth Lomax Swap Deal?
"How much of a fool would he look if he asked to come back after all the reported threatening of legal action and bungling of his original contract.    Sports agencies would probably offer a million to one of Lomax asking Ryles if he could come back…"
7 hours ago
Eli Stephens replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Buzz Rothfeild SMH - A Howarth Lomax Swap Deal?
"I think he could come back, if the eels hadn't already made moves to grab Pezet, keep Bailey and sign Kelly. Boat has already sailed for Zach unfortunately. Just wish he didn't chase after R360 🤣. Good player but not a thinker lol "
7 hours ago
Poppa replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Buzz Rothfeild SMH - A Howarth Lomax Swap Deal?
"What you are really trying to say is he is not captaincy material Eli.
Just to piss a few of you off, if he came back and had his original terms restated.....I would take him! personal logistics notwithstanding......after all he is obviously not the…"
7 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Buzz Rothfeild SMH - A Howarth Lomax Swap Deal?
""they are pussed"...is that the kiwi form of pissed?"
8 hours ago
Eli Stephens replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Buzz Rothfeild SMH - A Howarth Lomax Swap Deal?
"This is what happens when you ask for a release from your 2.1 million dollar contract at a good club who has one of the best half backs in rugby league to go join a fake rugby competition that hasn't even started 🤣🤣 good work Zach "
8 hours ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Buzz Rothfeild SMH - A Howarth Lomax Swap Deal?
"He still also iterates he has no issues with Parra and they didn't with him until now where they are pussed to put it lightly."
8 hours ago
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