Cricket News: England-Australia set for another face off in Headlingley

Australia need just one more victory to retain the Ashes. If England are to win, they have to shut their opponents out for the remaining three games. A bad day or a bad session could be the end of their attempt to wrestle the urn from Australian hands. Whatever the change in dynamic brought about by Jofra Archer's explosive debut and the absence of Steve Smith for the third Test at Headingley which begins on today that is the reality confronting both teams. England may go on and win the Ashes, but right now, Australia are still favourites to retain them. Not that the home team will lack confidence after a decent display at Lord's. The absence of Smith due to the concussion he suffered in the second Test is also a huge blow to Australia considering the weakness of the rest of their batting order. Both openers are horribly out of form, so is captain Tim Paine who has played ordinary shots in both games. The middle-order has also shown it is prone to losing wickets in clumps. At Edgbaston and Lord's, Smith was able to hold things together, single-handedly moving his team away from danger. Without him, Australia look vulnerable, particularly with Archer around. They may take some comfort from the fact that England's record at Headingley over the past decade has been poor. They have won just three of the last eight Tests in Leeds and lost the last time the two teams met here, back in the 2009 series.