With only a three day turnaround, Headingley plays host to the third Ashes Test and unlike Lords, the weather forecast suggests we are in for potentially five un-interrupted days of Test Match Cricket.
This also means a result is likely.
The Australians have suffered a major set back in Steve Smith not being able to pass the concussion test and being officially ruled out.
While Australia maintains a 1-0 lead in the series after two Tests, it’ll be on for young and old in Yorkshire and we try to find some value in our preview.
With Steve Smith missing, it has left some Aussie Cricket fans concerned about what might lie ahead at Leeds over the next five days.
The weather forecast is looking good meaning we are likely to get a result this time, with Headingley hosting only one draw in its last 15 Tests.
With that in mind, it hasn’t been a fortress for the Poms losing previous Tests to Sri Lanka (2014), the Kiwis (2015) and the West Indies (2017) getting the job done.
Knowing that the English don’t find Leeds a happy hunting ground might be an omen but without Steve Smith, it’s going to take the Aussies to find that extra edge to get the job done.
England will be up and about and baying for blood (hopefully not faking catches and bodyline bowling this time) but I can’t bring myself to back the Poms and hope that the Aussies find something to make it a famous Test victory and a 2-0 lead in the series.
With Steve Smith ruled out of the Test, it’s up to certain players to step up.
This could be seen as a blessing in disguise because we can’t just rely on Smith to save Australia’s arse every time this Ashes series.
Enter Dave Warner.
He’s been in pretty ordinary form since the World Cup averaging 4.33 this series along with fellow opener Cameron Bancroft with 9.33.
It’s time for Warner to get his angry on and get some runs.
Test match Cricket can be brutal but things can change very quickly.
If Warner can get some good runs early, it will boost his confidence up and he can find himself dominating and putting the Australian’s in a commanding position to take home the second Test.
The Aussies need a solid first innings and Dave Warner is still the man that can step up to the plate.
Another safe bet – Pat Cummins is the man to get the wickets for Australia in this Test.
He showed why he is the number 1 bowler in Test match Cricket with six at Lords and was still able to weave his magic when the ball got old and the conditions got harder.
It will be interesting to see who will join Cummins in our bowling line up with James Pattinson likely to be called back into the team and is this another chance for Nathan Lyon to do some damage?
Peter Siddle, Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Starc will fight it out for a spot and while selection debates are always a good way to pass the time, stick with the reliable Pat Cummins to get the wickets.