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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Offside replied to Mallee57's discussion Chuck Norris Passed Away
"Chuck Norris never wore a watch he just decided what the time was.."
1 minute ago
Yobz replied to Mallee57's discussion Chuck Norris Passed Away
"For those that are unaware Grandmaster Chuck Norris was not just a Holywood actor.
Chuck served in the US Air Force.
9th degree black belt in Tang Soo Do. The first westerner to achieve 8th degree black belt in Taekwondo. 5th degree black belt in…"
22 minutes ago
Yobz replied to Mallee57's discussion Chuck Norris Passed Away
"Chuck Norris died years ago. Death was just too afraid to tell him."
35 minutes ago
LB replied to Mallee57's discussion Chuck Norris Passed Away
"Is it appropriate or not to tell the best Chuck Norris badass jokes? They are hilarious and a great way to remember the legend. For those who don't know they aren't jokes mocking Norris instead showing how powerful he is haha."
35 minutes ago
Mallee57 replied to Mallee57's discussion Chuck Norris Passed Away
"Yeah Texas Walker Ranger was a good show and very popular. I think he was close friends with Bruce Lee. I didn't know he was 86 either"
1 hour ago
Mitchy replied to Mallee57's discussion Chuck Norris Passed Away
"Thanks Mallee - yes he was a definite legend IMO; and his Texas Walker Ranger was good....sad times and did not realise he was 86!!"
1 hour ago
Mallee57 replied to Parra_Greg's discussion PARRAMATTA EELS 1986
"Panthers won't win the Premiership. They'll come undone throughout the season. Long way to go yet. "
2 hours ago
Parra_Greg replied to LB's discussion 1EE All-time Eels team: Wingers
"I agree with your Ken Thornett sentiment Poppa.    Even though even I was too young lol.  I heard Ken Irvine was brilliant too you would have to be to score 212 tries I guess "
2 hours ago
Priceforever replied to Rabz S's discussion Official: Parramatta Eels upgrade Teancum Brown
"Great signing. Much better than paying overs for 32 year old forwards. On what we seen of him in the trials he has the potential to be a great prop."
2 hours ago
Parramatta Tragic replied to LB's discussion 1EE All-time Eels team: Wingers
"Ken Thornett not the fullback?....lol.
There is a reason that Parras best player every year wins the Ken Thornett medal. There is a reason there is a grandstand named after him.
He was THE PLAYER of a generation...he could do things players of his…"
3 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to LB's discussion 1EE All-time Eels team: Wingers
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3 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to LB's discussion 1EE All-time Eels team: Wingers
"If I was picking a gf team today id have to two Grothe's on either wing"
3 hours ago
LB replied to LB's discussion 1EE All-time Eels team: Wingers
"That's the thing Pops, I didn't see Kenny play live. I can see how good he was but also seeing them live is different experience and I can only go with what I've seen and that's why I say "best I've seen" when saying Johns."
3 hours ago
LB replied to LB's discussion 1EE All-time Eels team: Wingers
"Well I'd do a devote with the 2 left over. Havent had one survey where 100% of votes went to one player.I did a revote for Winger between Burt and Grothe Jr."
3 hours ago
Muttman replied to Parra_Greg's discussion PARRAMATTA EELS 1986
"Panthers look slick. Every player passes the ball with precision and they know their shapes like clockwork. Hard to beat. "
4 hours ago
EA replied to Rabz S's discussion Official: Parramatta Eels upgrade Teancum Brown
"Koina as a prop. I recon Carrigan is a decent comparison "
12 hours ago
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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.

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14 Replies · Reply by Poppa Jan 9
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PARRAMATTA EELS 1986

I know its early ...but Penrith at them moment remind me so much of the Eels that won everything in 86 after a lacklustre 85 where we lost to Saints in the Prelim .....Gosh they will be hard to beat this year Penrith ...

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7 Replies · Reply by Mallee57 2 hours ago
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