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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Yehez replied to Offside's discussion Samrani vs Penisini
"He played two weeks I think at left centre last year at the start. We abandoned that quickly but maybe we can consider it next year with Russell gone. Maybe a year or two next to the fox would sort him out."
54 minutes ago
Muttman replied to Offside's discussion Samrani vs Penisini
"Even the Knights have 2 Origin Centres these days. (And an Origin FB and the Kiwi 5/8). "
6 hours ago
EA replied to Offside's discussion Samrani vs Penisini
"I remember watching him in nsw cup. He was at left centre with Naiduki on the wing. I remember every week saying he should make his nrl debut. He was such a good defender at 18/19 years old. I would argue since then that his attacking threat has…"
6 hours ago
DYNASTY.LOADING replied to Pato's discussion Xerri
"Michael, you are dumb. Doesn't mean you are a bad bloke.
The whole game of managing a roster is value for money. Will Penisni gets paid the same as the great Centres in the game and he isn't one. Move him on, it's not harder than that. Hos brother…"
7 hours ago
Yehez replied to Offside's discussion Samrani vs Penisini
"He did and he more importantly has this tendency to switch off and look despondent and defeated and his effort goes down by 30 %. 
I made my piece that he might not reach the potential we hoped of him becoming an origin level back, which he was…"
7 hours ago
Maj. John Reisman replied to EelsAgeMe's discussion Ryles/Moses comments on Pezet
"and fair enough Anasta and others have all said the same things he's a work in progress. He still gets run over too easy and makes silly mistakes. "
7 hours ago
EA replied to Offside's discussion Samrani vs Penisini
"I think the disappointing part for Pensini was the poor defence last week against Melbourne. Yes everyone was shit. But he missed a one on one tackle for Leo to score. He also got burned in the frist half by Leo but Iongi saved the day."
7 hours ago
Yehez replied to Offside's discussion Samrani vs Penisini
"Penisini ended last year well and he can be a good attacking threat. I won't want Penisini away from the team yet.
But the competition is good and Samrani is doing well. I'd still give Will first crack when he's back from injury. "
7 hours ago
Poppa replied to Offside's discussion Samrani vs Penisini
"Corey Oates is the comparison he should strive to become."
7 hours ago
Mitchy replied to Offside's discussion Samrani vs Penisini
"Penisini may be a different player under Ryles and he has another 20 odd games under his belt -this year will tell"
7 hours ago
Poppa replied to Offside's discussion Samrani vs Penisini
"101 your Avatar is most suitable to your intellect.....you had him missing 50 in your previous post."
7 hours ago
Offside replied to Offside's discussion Samrani vs Penisini
"I hope so but you often see all a player needs is that change.
Also it often doesn't work"
7 hours ago
Poppa replied to Offside's discussion Samrani vs Penisini
"He is not if you compare him in speed to the Penrith, NSW and Australian winger, he could be just as effective. Sivo was slower than Peni .....I have always said Peni would/could be a great winger.
I don't believe that Simo is gifted with much as a…"
8 hours ago
Poppa replied to Roy tannous's discussion Jdb junior paulo 👉🚪👋
"That's where your credability lets you down 101, you better get used to Penisini because the coach loves him!"
8 hours ago
Blue Eel replied to Offside's discussion Samrani vs Penisini
"Except for Josh Addo- Carr, and our spine I don't rate any of our backline.Russell has improved out of sight and i'd persist with him if he was staying, but for everyone else, Nope. Will has played over 100 games and still his highlight reels aren't…"
8 hours ago
Poppa replied to Roy tannous's discussion Jdb junior paulo 👉🚪👋
"Yes, hear you Richard, but I assume you mean as a 5/8 not a half? i.e Pezet fits Moses shoes and Twidle has Pezets. I have not seen any of these kids but I will go with the opinions you guys provide."
8 hours ago
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Samrani vs Penisini

Hard to compare but I think the right edge looked better with Samrani on the weekend.There is no doubt Will has alot of talent but he looks like one of those players who would excel somewhere else since his debut he hasn't really been challenged for…

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