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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Bourbon Man replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓's discussion The real reason why Eels won
"Poppa, I know you get frustrated with this lot on the forum. I'm a couple of decades behind you but, I'm approaching 50 and I'm finding myself suffering fools less and less lightly."
4 hours ago
Bourbon Man replied to Muttman's discussion Head Coach Flanagan and Head of Football Haran sacked.
"Well said Carlos. I'm so over folks on this forum pissing on Gutho. He was a warrior for us and his moving on was timely.
That's not a criticism of him or us as a club."
5 hours ago
Bourbon Man replied to Muttman's discussion Head Coach Flanagan and Head of Football Haran sacked.
"Couldn't agree more. That's changed the entire landscape of the game and some rosters weren't built for a last minute rule change by ’Rubga League’ and his apprentice, ’Yah’.
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EA replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓's discussion This guy better than we have and most available. - sign him
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5 hours ago
Poupou Escobar replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓's discussion This guy better than we have and most available. - sign him
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5 hours ago
Michael W. replied to Muttman's discussion Head Coach Flanagan and Head of Football Haran sacked.
"He can backflip all he likes, as long as he doesn't end up here."
6 hours ago
Parra fan on The Hill replied to Muttman's discussion Head Coach Flanagan and Head of Football Haran sacked.
"They are stupid for not playing Gutho at 5/8. They lack a genuine playmaker with smarts. 
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6 hours ago
Parra fan on The Hill replied to Muttman's discussion Head Coach Flanagan and Head of Football Haran sacked.
"I did.
Dragons are a shit show.The Dragons have a bigger problem than chopping the Head Coach. Players are taking no accountability. Val Holmes should slap himself across the head.
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6 hours ago
Parra fan on The Hill replied to Blue Eel's discussion Eels V Dogs 3-2-1
"3. Everyone.
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6 hours ago
John Seckold replied to Blue Eel's discussion Eels V Dogs 3-2-1
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7 hours ago
Clintorian replied to Blue Eel's discussion Eels V Dogs 3-2-1
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Clintorian replied to Blue Eel's discussion Eels V Dogs 3-2-1
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7 hours ago
LB replied to Muttman's discussion Head Coach Flanagan and Head of Football Haran sacked.
"He apparently said the other day he will be there. So who knows."
7 hours ago
LB replied to Muttman's discussion Head Coach Flanagan and Head of Football Haran sacked.
"lol was too haha."
7 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓 replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓's discussion The real reason why Eels won
"I don't believe in superstition or bad juju or whatever the thought about luck, I just think the players react differently to a coach thats dressed like a school teacher as opposed to someone dressed as who they can relate to.  Its a subconscious…"
8 hours ago
ParraPride replied to Muttman's discussion Head Coach Flanagan and Head of Football Haran sacked.
"No thanks to Flanno!"
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