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

Sparky the Eel replied to Desieels's discussion This Isn’t a Bad Game — This Is Who We Are
"If we Eels supports want to see another premership win the board need to put on their big boy pants & either make some serious changes on recruitment of players & coaches or simply fuck off.
With the rumour Nathan Cleary being chased by the PNG…"
22 minutes ago
LB replied to Desieels's discussion This Isn’t a Bad Game — This Is Who We Are
"Had this score been v Wests or Gold Coast or Manly, then ok that's fair.
But 3 of the 4 preliminary finalists of last year in 4 weeks."
45 minutes ago
Clintorian replied to Desieels's discussion This Isn’t a Bad Game — This Is Who We Are
"Ffs.. There's a lack of awareness about this post that is just as frustrating as the loss. Panthers are on another level, most of us were all expecting that loss. We are building and have some work ahead of us. You don't win Premierships in March or…"
55 minutes ago
Parraborn1 replied to Aj's discussion Thoughts on Api Pewhairangi to play at fullback
"Api is absolutely one of those players that could do a job at fullback for one of these new franchises coming in. Between him and Joash, one of them need to move on."
1 hour ago
SuperEel 22 replied to Aj's discussion Thoughts on Api Pewhairangi to play at fullback
"For a second there I thought someone had surfaced a 2013 blog. Twidle is playing decent in Cup, but Joash is next cab off the rank. He did the job last season and I imagine he'll do a good job for us this season. Probably means Twidle gets onto the…"
1 hour ago
Hector Bob Down replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner ; "We are no worse than anyone else" "yes we are" and our goals need to be higher and better...FULL STOP
"Hes stolen the fucking pig . Back to the Blog.  Answer to all of your thoughts Dave is I  think we are the equal if not better than a lot of sides . Actually  I thought aagainst the Panthers we got alot closer than alot of us thought we would. My…"
1 hour ago
LB replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Timoko told to look elsewhere
"Yeah but out of Xerri, Tago and Timoko; Xerri is the only one that is being moved on with the club simply trying to find a spot for their star and one Centre had to go, Critta ain't going. I don't believe Xerri was dropped for performance, makes it…"
2 hours ago
Kurupt - Your Mums Favourite Thug replied to Aj's discussion Thoughts on Api Pewhairangi to play at fullback
"I see it too"
5 hours ago
Kurupt - Your Mums Favourite Thug replied to Who Cares's discussion The Rich keep getting Richer
"I second Macs motion, Jims to blame 🤪"
6 hours ago
Kurupt - Your Mums Favourite Thug replied to Desieels's discussion This Isn’t a Bad Game — This Is Who We Are
"I agree with the sentiment, but will say it was kinda the other way round under BA, we'd beat Melbourne and penrith during some regular season games and lose to the shit teams.
Where the club management is failing is engagement with the Desi…"
6 hours ago
Joel K replied to Aj's discussion Thoughts on Api Pewhairangi to play at fullback
"Api reminds me a lot of Drinkwater"
7 hours ago
Joel K replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Timoko told to look elsewhere
"Xerri is the best overall centre on the market. Only one that can defend at a high click.
Ryles did say we aren't chasing him but who knows"
7 hours ago
LB replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner ; "We are no worse than anyone else" "yes we are" and our goals need to be higher and better...FULL STOP
"Yeah agreed."
10 hours ago
Poppa replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner ; "We are no worse than anyone else" "yes we are" and our goals need to be higher and better...FULL STOP
"Nice story LB, but I cannot help seeing the game change so much, it maybe that last season's winning ploy's no longer exist, I have  always said benevolent dictatorship is the best form of management.....two teams fit that image, the Cleary's at…"
12 hours ago
Poppa replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner ; "We are no worse than anyone else" "yes we are" and our goals need to be higher and better...FULL STOP
"Yes you make your point well and those names you mention are exactly what we need .....the likes of anyway."
12 hours ago
Poppa replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner ; "We are no worse than anyone else" "yes we are" and our goals need to be higher and better...FULL STOP
"Yes I figured it out, its just that my memory makes me forget the most obvious things, you should see how I mix my grandkids up LOL.... not them, just their names.
Thanks for that Mallee"
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: 2256

 

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