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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Latest comments

Adam Magrath replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"Alarms going off you reckon?"
9 minutes ago
Adam Magrath replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"Maybe I didn't phrase my comment well post 2026. To be honest I'm not getting too hung up on the storm and what may or may not happen. I'd take Harry Grant or Cameron Munster off their hands, but we all know realistically that ain't happening. If…"
12 minutes ago
Adam Magrath replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"Absolutely, all that stuff that's gone on goes in our favour with the judge in making his determination.
I don't think we're being vindictive at all towards Lomax. We just want to be adequately compensated for our loss which is a fair enough…"
20 minutes ago
Eli Stephens replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"You could potentially ban him from playing against the eels for the term of his contract but how is that fair on the other clubs who have to face Storm who get an origin winger for a 200k transfer. If Lomax really wants to play nrl then open it up…"
24 minutes ago
Hell On Eels replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"Adam, that would be some meeting behind closed doors: us, the NRL, the Storm, some who-me-yes-you poker faces, and enough blowtorches to keep the fire exits relevant."
29 minutes ago
LB replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"Storm either get him this year or not at all, so player swap next year is quite impossible. But I agree I think a swap is hard as Melbourne are that proud in what they are doing they won't have a sense of losing by caving in.
Yeah he ain't sitting…"
44 minutes ago
Eli Stephens replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"I don't think the eels want to keep Lomax out of the game they are open to sending him to any club who wants him. But the way the storm and Lomax acted trying to sneak around it, I doubt eels want to deal with Melbourne. Ryles seems like a man of…"
44 minutes ago
LB replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"Denan Kemp said, and he is right, Melbourne cannot say no to a player of theirs asking for a release again.
The main thing out of this is Melbourne do not give a flying you know what how people see them in this. If they win the comp this year all…"
49 minutes ago
Adam Magrath replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"As much as I'd like Lomax to sit out from the nrl for the next 3 years (and he should) realistically that isn't happening. It isn't fair.
That is what this court case is all about, to determine what is fair. So it isn't 100% right or 100% wrong (or…"
57 minutes ago
Eli Stephens replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"He was provided all the legal advice before signing the release and understood the stipulations. Just because R360 didn't eventuate doesn't mean he can force his way out of it lol. Spoilt brat defence is not going to work for Lomax or the storm 🤣 "
1 hour ago
Hell On Eels replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"LB, Eli, good stuff gents. We've acted in good-faith. By the book. With clean hands. Lomax appears not to. Still, equity is not unlikely to view an NRL-wide 3-year restraint until 31Oct 28' as overly-punitive and read it down.
We'd still win,…"
2 hours ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"The best thing for the Eels is if we say nothing our position is clear we only have to come back to the table if Melbourne come with something we see as advantageous for us that really is the bottom line.
Best thing about this there the ones doing…"
4 hours ago
Eli Stephens replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"If you look at it from a player for player deal, would you rather Lomax or Howarth if you are the Storm but ? I just don't see any way legally the storm can force the eels to hand them Lomax 🤣 either way don't really care what storm end up doing but…"
9 hours ago
LB replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"I know i have said it before but Storm fans say we are being unreasonable and see no outcome in which we win this case. Despite all the released, that is still the belief. I believe in bias and backing your team but come on.
But i do not think they…"
10 hours ago
Eli Stephens replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"Wouldn't shock me if storm come to the table at the 11th hour with Howarth and the transfer fee. No way in hell they win this in court "
10 hours ago
Hell On Eels replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm
"Same, Kurupt. Whatever the outcome, Jim, Beach, Ryles and the club stood united and stood their ground when they were meant to roll over for the Storm and PLV, discreetly. Moses SC has also been brilliant."
11 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
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