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.

You need to be a member of 1Eyed Eel to add comments!

Join 1Eyed Eel

Votes: 0
Email me when people reply –

Latest comments

Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 2 Team List v Brisbane Broncos
"Still can't believe Mark O’Neill let Russell go
O'neill needs to be sacked yesterday. 
Another f up"
8 minutes ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Mallee57's discussion The 50+ Statistic
"All fake news news "
10 minutes ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 2 Team List v Brisbane Broncos
"I agree, so who's to blame here? The coach keeps picking him."
20 minutes ago
Mallee57 replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 2 Team List v Brisbane Broncos
"Eels need to unsettle the Broncos, niggle them, play unpredictable football. Pezet needs to get his act together. Penisini is rocks and diamonds. TDS has potential and is fast over short distance and can be evasive which he needs to use. Smith is…"
55 minutes ago
Hector Bob Down replied to Mallee57's discussion The 50+ Statistic
"Here's a few more for us Chiefy . Just admit it we have been Cursed since 86 😂"
1 hour ago
EA replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 2 Team List v Brisbane Broncos
"Pezet has no excuse with Russel and Fox on his outside this week."
2 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to LB's discussion 1eE Modern day Eels team: Bench Props
"Not in my books.   He should be wiped from the club's history imo"
2 hours ago
KENDOZA replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 2 Team List v Brisbane Broncos
"Kotoni staggs already saying they will target pezet in attack. Saying we feel we will get some joy down that edge."
2 hours ago
Coryn Hughes replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 2 Team List v Brisbane Broncos
"The Broncs also got flogged last week and for me we couldn't have got them at a worse time.
They are more athletic bigger faster and stronger than us.
The only key indicators for me are footy basics high completion get to your kick and all the 1%…"
5 hours ago
Coryn Hughes replied to LB's discussion 1eE Modern day Eels team: Bench Props
"Tim Mannah at his peak always used to find his front and had the penchant for getting quick play the balls that's a must in the modern game.
Id take him over Cayless who was a bit of a plodder IMO 
Me to  I'd also take both RCG and Jnr over Cayless."
5 hours ago
EA replied to LB's discussion 1eE Modern day Eels team: Bench Props
"I am glaad he is not at the club anymore but does it feel harsh that Gutho wont get a spot in this team?"
10 hours ago
EA replied to LB's discussion 1eE Modern day Eels team: Bench Props
"I wonder if Ice will get the 17 spot. I guess it depends if he was here for long enough"
10 hours ago
Mallee57 replied to Mallee57's discussion The 50+ Statistic
"Not sure what you mean"
11 hours ago
Mallee57 replied to Mallee57's discussion The 50+ Statistic
"Anything is possible"
11 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Mallee57's discussion The 50+ Statistic
"Next you'll be worrying about walking under ladders 🪜 "
12 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 2 Team List v Brisbane Broncos
"Nothing like a schooner of reality "
12 hours ago
More…

Keaon done deal

As of Thursday, December 11, 2025, South Sydney Rabbitohs forwardKeaon Koloamatangi has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Parramatta Eels, but it is not yet officially announced by the clubs.  Soon to be announced.

Read more…
14 Replies · Reply by Poppa Jan 9
Views: 2185

 

<script src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- Sidebar -->
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<script>// <![CDATA[
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
// ]]></script>