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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Randy Handlinger replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"It's where our 2nd most highly paid forward spends too much of his time now"
7 minutes ago
MattL replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"Wayne is a legend of the game but Ryles is def the better fit for us to move forward. Impressisve stint so far."
21 minutes ago
Joel K replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"Wayne hasn't won anything in 16 years. He's washed
Bellamy is the greatest coach of all time"
44 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"Good post but what I think you identified in the top 2 paragraphs is always the issue I've had with our front office.The fact Ryles was never there first choice and they went in with everything to get Galvin and couldn't close.
Yes getting JR looks…"
1 hour ago
Bob Smith replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"Ryles' instincts have been correct so far, regarding cutting players, signings, and trusting in youth. "
1 hour ago
mongolian trotting duck replied to CarloEEL2's discussion Scouting report - today’s Tele
"100% coryn, i would even have guymer in front of kelma after how he played on the left edge at the back end of last year"
1 hour ago
Bubba j replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"I hope so brother I think WB is past it as far as coaching goes much prefer JR and his culture he has brought to the club either buy in or piss off I had said for years you are never winning a comp with guys only there because you paid overs for…"
1 hour ago
ScottX replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"Yep, all very valid points. It's funny how versatility can go against you at times.It's not a bad thing but it does make you an ideal bench player. I like him and see him improving a lot but I also had the same mindset about Brendan Hands a few…"
1 hour ago
ScottX replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"You don't feel luck plays a role at all Chiefy? Certainly agree that the things in our control are being handled really well right now but I certainly think there are things outside of our control which can play out either for or against us. …"
1 hour ago
Blue Eel replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"I love the passion he is showing as well, and you never know i guess, he may make it into the starting side. What leads me to thinking he may end up as a backup player, is that he is 
i). So versatile, he grew up as a fullback, has played wing and…"
1 hour ago
Hector replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"In my humble opinion  . Feel the vibe around the place is very different from the  last few years . You could notice it last  year at the  few training sessions i attended and also going to watch the lower grade games with a lot of the senior…"
1 hour ago
Blue Eel replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"haha, the corner is where i spent too much of my school life."
1 hour ago
ScottX replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"Joash is an interesting 1. I really like him but certainly not obviously a great 5/8 yet. I just have a feeling about him. He passes the eye test for mine. His passion is a beautiful thing and seems to just love the game. But we also have some…"
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Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"Love the banter Boyz keep it up.   I think randy is one up on poppo atm watch his upper cut Rando"
2 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"I don't believe in.luck. Ryles has made some great decisions and has the club in a good position to move forward.  Whilst most thought getting rid of Guth and rcg were head scratchers,  Ryles had a clear vision to turn this roster around.  Most if…"
2 hours ago
Hell On Eels replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"Acme, just curious: What were the most interesting things to come out of that Bennett talk?
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