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

Coryn Hughes replied to Hell On Eels's discussion R11 Game Day Blog, Magic Round v Storm: Trauma and Redemption (L34-8)
"If we had the gun we'd probably have forgot to load it 😂 
Pick one and we'd still find a way to come out the worse side of the equation."
39 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Hell On Eels's discussion R11 Game Day Blog, Magic Round v Storm: Trauma and Redemption (L34-8)
"They'll take TDS as the long term guy purely because he's the prototype of hooker that's needed there for this version of the game smith is not.The game now is so entertainment focused that the explosiveness out of dummy half is now a prerequisite…"
49 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Hell On Eels's discussion R11 Game Day Blog, Magic Round v Storm: Trauma and Redemption (L34-8)
"In a heartbeat and like the commentary mentions you look what happens when he gets surrounded by equal talent then you'll see the real Mitchell Moses.Much like we see with Brown in Newcastle and with the Kiwis now the talent just suddenly doesn't go…"
57 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner; The cattle is the problem, this maybe the catalyst to make us do some drastic things!
"I think for the most part all the players are trying and trying hard but this is a talent and athleticism component that these players are missing and it's what the squad is missing.This is what we have to identify and add.After the bye Tuivaiti…"
1 hour ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner; The cattle is the problem, this maybe the catalyst to make us do some drastic things!
"It's quite clear really if we have the cap spend it on an elite player or 2 or else be prepared to stay in the bottom half of the table with all the other cellar dwellers."
1 hour ago
Parraboy replied to Roy tannous's discussion Spirits crushed
"Your just a racist red neck dog
your saying players don't sign with the Eels because of too many middle eastern people around? Or too many Hijabis around ? Fuck your a deadset wanker mate, no place for racism you maggot. "
2 hours ago
Michael W. replied to Sneaky Pete's discussion What we need.
"You're missing the point Darren. ATM Moses is the only spine player we have aavailable.Ilongi, Pezet and Smith are out. We have replacements for each of them but, they are only replacents. They are good for a game or two, but you can't expect them…"
3 hours ago
Joeyboyz replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin's discussion Iongi playing in NSW Cup today - some positive news
""Lorenzo Talataina produced the try of the match, dancing through multiple defenders before offloading for Araz Nanva to score."
- Taken from the match review on www.nswrl.com.au
 "
3 hours ago
Joel K replied to Sneaky Pete's discussion What we need.
"Shane Richardson as CEO
Get Sarantinos out of the club he's an embarrassment."
4 hours ago
Mallee57 replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner; The cattle is the problem, this maybe the catalyst to make us do some drastic things!
"Attach a copy and I'll have a read"
5 hours ago
Mallee57 replied to Sneaky Pete's discussion What we need.
"They have a good coach"
5 hours ago
Mallee57 replied to Sneaky Pete's discussion What we need.
"Geoff Toovey"
5 hours ago
Mallee57 replied to Sneaky Pete's discussion What we need.
"definitely on the cards"
5 hours ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin's discussion Iongi playing in NSW Cup today - some positive news
"Lacking Tuivaiti's size badly."
5 hours ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin's discussion Iongi playing in NSW Cup today - some positive news
"From what i have seen and heard is he is doing pretty well. I know stats aren't everything but considering he has been playing half games, as he backs up for NRL, his stats are pretty good. Also, he has been playing with different Halfbacks, Hooker,…"
5 hours ago
Darren Munro replied to Sneaky Pete's discussion What we need.
"The problem is we don't have a full spine. That's on recruitment. We have recruited very poorly this year. "
5 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: 2431

 

Spirits crushed

Spirits crushed.. just looking at all the teams in the comp compared to us and Fmd.Newcastle wooden spooners now playing amazing footy and tigers 3 wooden spoons in a row and at full strength brilliant.Just looking at all the shit teams in the last…

Read more…
7 Replies · Reply by Parraboy 2 hours ago
Views: 240

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