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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Poppa replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"and old goats lol"
7 minutes ago
Poppa replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"The only squealing i did was in the post.....check that out with what ever sources you can confirm.
In the interim we are getting on spiffingly and i have no problems, yours and your cohort's post's were completely out of place on that blog and you…"
18 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Clubs urge NRL to back Parra over Storm's pursuit of Lomax
"That's how I'm thinking also put the heat on them how badly do you want Zac bad enough to give an equivalent talent or take the piss in a court case slating mental health and restraint of trade even though we all know it's just a piss take to get…"
33 minutes ago
Randy Handlinger replied to SuperEel 22's discussion The bad smell of Parramatta returns
"Revoke their memberships, kick them out.....This."
36 minutes ago
Muttman replied to SuperEel 22's discussion The bad smell of Parramatta returns
"It exemplifies who these people are. This is bordering on unhinged behaviour. You can't reason or negotiate with people such as these. Revoke their memberships, kick them out. "
45 minutes ago
Hell On Eels replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Clubs urge NRL to back Parra over Storm's pursuit of Lomax
"Timelines are interesting.
6 Jan 2026 — Lomax seeks release from release to join the Storm hires Ramy Qutami threatening legal action.
18 Dec 2025 — Lomax reportedly offered $450K by Super Rugby.
2 Dec 2025 — Lomax explores Super Rugby.
29 Nov…"
46 minutes ago
Hell On Eels replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Clubs urge NRL to back Parra over Storm's pursuit of Lomax
"Scott, Schifcofske said he still would be representing Lomax for anything other than R360. Advised Lomax to get lawyers.
Refer this Foxspsort article dated 19 Nov 19, 2025."
53 minutes ago
Eli Stephens replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Clubs urge NRL to back Parra over Storm's pursuit of Lomax
"Lomax and his manager are brain dead to even consider that R360 crap. He's gotten what he deserves lol. 700k contract with Parra + rep duties down the drain. And every nrl fan can't stand him now "
1 hour ago
Hell On Eels replied to SuperEel 22's discussion The bad smell of Parramatta returns
"Gents, don’t worry. This is Operation Barbarossa without a roadmap.
The Constitution is designed for this kind of attack. Strategically, it's far worse than Lomax’s post-release employment planning.
It's nuisance value at best. Optics of inner…"
1 hour ago
Adam Magrath replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Clubs urge NRL to back Parra over Storm's pursuit of Lomax
"See who's interested in him for 2027 and what works for us. It's not about what's good for Zac or the storm."
1 hour ago
fishbulb replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Clubs urge NRL to back Parra over Storm's pursuit of Lomax
"Lol!"
1 hour ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Clubs urge NRL to back Parra over Storm's pursuit of Lomax
"rooly rooly sooper dooper sads"
2 hours ago
Parraborn1 replied to SuperEel 22's discussion The bad smell of Parramatta returns
"Sorry for the language but for fucks sake can these guys just fuck off already. This is the most ridiculuous proposal to date. "
2 hours ago
Angry Eel replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Clubs urge NRL to back Parra over Storm's pursuit of Lomax
"Exactly. Parra hold all the cards here. Seriously can't believe some fans are happy with a Howarth swap. Lomax is a test and Origin winger. Whilst Howarth is a decent player he's not anywhere close to Lomax. Lomax is costing us nothing on the cap as…"
2 hours ago
Kurupt - 1 Year Cuck replied to LB's discussion Max Popo extends til 2028
"Lol there he is Mr Popo"
6 hours ago
BringBackSemi replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Clubs urge NRL to back Parra over Storm's pursuit of Lomax
"Was a big Lomax fan but how he has conducted himself is a massive letdown. The guy has shown a complete lack of integrity and intelligence. Why would the Storm want this kind of person at their club (other than Bellamy going all out in his final…"
9 hours ago
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