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 Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"Though if you are to overpay it's for players that can make more of a difference. Keaon I didn't mind paying slight overs for as middles are so important today. But you also do not want to go too over the top as it puts your cap out of wrack and you…"
4 minutes ago
LB replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
"But he hasn't in open age if at all. All well and good playing it at school, we are not in the place to start trialling him at 6 anytime soon. He would be coming to play Centre/Wing. No extra value, Parra aren't going to offer an extra $100k cause…"
6 minutes ago
Prof. Daz replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"Poupou, you are talking yourself in circles.
1) The RLPA definition defines player options as NOT part of the terms of the contract. 2) Brown's player options were options for him to leave and/or ask for more money. Literally. 3) Browns contract…"
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Blue Eel replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
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28 minutes ago
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32 minutes ago
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Poupou Escobar replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
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42 minutes ago
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44 minutes ago
Longfin Eel replied to Clintorian's discussion Jenkins to the Eels?
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51 minutes ago
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1 hour ago
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2 hours ago
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