MAKE YOUR PICKS ON JOE ROOT, BEN STOKES, MITCHELL STARC AD MORE! 🔥

Having taken a 2-0 lead in the men’s Ashes, Australia can guarantee a series win with victory over England at Headingley. The hosts can ill afford another defeat following a controversial affair at Lord’s with tempers raisied as both sides head north.

Ben Stokes won the toss at the home of cricket and put the vistiors in to bat with conditions favouring England’s reinforced seam attack, but they were made to pay as David Warner, Steve Smith and Travis Head spearheaded a 400+ total in the first innings. England nearly reached 200 in reply just one wicket down, but that response fell apart as they were bowled out trailing the visitors by nearly a ton.

England's bowling attack improved in the second innings, restricting their opposition for 279 and leaving themselves a challenging but achievable 371 to level the series. On 193/5, the hosts were primed with a partnership brewing between Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes with the latter going on to score 155 runs. One market will be whether Stokes can hit a six in both of his innings at Headingley, with a fierce approach expected we’ll go with yes, emphatically.

The controversial moment came as Alex Carey knocked over the stumps after Bairstow wandered out of his crease before the end of the over was called by the umpire. Stokes couldn’t do it all by himself as Australia went on to win by 43 runs.

Ahead of the third test changes have been made by the hosts. Ollie Pope has been ruled out for the remainder of the series due to a shoulder injury while Josh Tongue and James Anderson make way for the return of Moeen Ali along with Mark Wood and Chris Woakes.

In the visitors’ camp Pat Cummins confirmed Todd Murphy would replace the injured Nathan Lyon. Off-spinner Murphy has played four Tests all in India earlier this year - and took 7-124 on debut. Seamer Scott Boland could return with Josh Hazlewood the likliest to be rested.

Australia have proven they have the ability to win when underperforming, England will need to ramp up their ‘Bazball’ approach in Leeds to keep the series alive. The visitors will greatly miss the impact of Lyon at a ground where spin can be a difference maker. With Moeen back in the lineup and Wood injecting more pace into the English bowling attack, this could be a renergised outfit. With the market set at 5.5 total match wickets, we like Mark Wood to make an impact to achieve the over here.

Brook and Bairstow will move up the order amid the hosts’ changes, the latter will have the bit between his teeth following the events at Lord’s, we’re anticipating England to bounce back with their backs against the wall.