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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RustyNuts replied to Hell On Eels's discussion The Eels v Lomax: Timeline and Key Questions
"Iongi might be the sacrificial pawn in this saga. Worst case he gets 2 games for bringing the game into disrepute. Munster and Holmes only got similar for coke, so definitely not worse than this. They may look at it as short term pain long term…"
2 minutes ago
Poppa replied to LB's discussion Eels interested in Barnett
"That's our rationale and they are talking about a player to replace him if he makes the move now......exactly what we are proposing to Storm.....are you on the same wave length here Chiefy."
7 minutes ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Rabz S's discussion Official: Parramatta Eels upgrade Teancum Brown
""
10 minutes ago
Bubba j replied to Rabz S's discussion Official: Parramatta Eels upgrade Teancum Brown
"Good stuff Parra definitely a bright future ahead for him looks the goods need to lock up players you want to keep with the new teams entering the comp "
13 minutes ago
TolEllts replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels demand the NRL hand over all information relating to its involvement in the Lomax saga
"Mutt, if this happens, it is manna from heaven for the Eels and we can feel that the footy gods are somewhat smiling on us."
21 minutes ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Rabz S's discussion Official: Parramatta Eels upgrade Teancum Brown
"Excellent news..He'll play more than a few games this season and watch out in 2027.  His fitness levels are high amongst our pack."
22 minutes ago
parra supporter replied to Rabz S's discussion Official: Parramatta Eels upgrade Teancum Brown
"Last player to be upgraded just before season commences was Riley who played the whole season. Think he's definitely in for a debut this year "
25 minutes ago
Longfin Eel replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels demand the NRL hand over all information relating to its involvement in the Lomax saga
"Right on. If Lomax doesn't want it, then he can sit on his arse until 2028."
37 minutes ago
LB replied to Rabz S's discussion Official: Parramatta Eels upgrade Teancum Brown
"Excellent, well deserved."
50 minutes ago
macybrown replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels demand the NRL hand over all information relating to its involvement in the Lomax saga
"Perfecto!  If we win I don't see how the storm actually acquires Lomax for this season, as they have already knocked our three player options back and (believe read somewhere) that they don't want to switch either. So getting what we want from them…"
50 minutes ago
Muttman replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels demand the NRL hand over all information relating to its involvement in the Lomax saga
"For mine it's just the player swap. Like the Warriors we want a player in exchange. Given both clubs want a player swap, on paper at least this makes a lot of sense. "
53 minutes ago
Nightmare Off-Season replied to LB's discussion Eels interested in Barnett
"HOE!
Great to see you've been smashing out the blogs along with others here, just catching up on the Lomax timline - great work as always, really interesting seeing the Eels go for blood here. They obviously have some evidentary aces up the…"
53 minutes ago
macybrown replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels demand the NRL hand over all information relating to its involvement in the Lomax saga
"Haha!
Or at least '10 4 good buddy' 
 "
1 hour ago
Make Parra Great Again replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels demand the NRL hand over all information relating to its involvement in the Lomax saga
"Hope the sitting judge sees it for what it is, money hungry Lomax. He gambled with his career choice and lost, so wear the consequences"
1 hour ago
Hell On Eels replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels demand the NRL hand over all information relating to its involvement in the Lomax saga
"Mutts, well said. I wouldn't be surprised if that's being discussed behind closed doors. It's ironic we'd be more okay with Lomax as a Warrior than a Storm. The little devil in all of us, perhaps. Imagine if he sought another release?"
1 hour ago
macybrown replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels demand the NRL hand over all information relating to its involvement in the Lomax saga
"Guess if he says he didn't, it might be just a smartarse way of saying there's nothing evidentury tho :(
we all know he would've responded to that rubbish ...perhaps in a phone call."
1 hour ago
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