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

Blue Eel replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"haha"
2 minutes ago
ScottX replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"Joash is an interesting 1. I really like him but certainly not obviously a great 5/8 yet. I just have a feeling about him. He passes the eye test for mine. His passion is a beautiful thing and seems to just love the game. But we also have some…"
9 minutes ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"Love the banter Boyz keep it up.   I think randy is one up on poppo atm watch his upper cut Rando"
25 minutes ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"I don't believe in.luck. Ryles has made some great decisions and has the club in a good position to move forward.  Whilst most thought getting rid of Guth and rcg were head scratchers,  Ryles had a clear vision to turn this roster around.  Most if…"
26 minutes ago
Hell On Eels replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"Acme, just curious: What were the most interesting things to come out of that Bennett talk?
Like you, I enjoy listening to and learning from people in the game, and he’s obviously a great coach. I remember Bup raising some deep reservations about…"
33 minutes ago
Randy Handlinger replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"err...i dunno how the dementia scorecard works either. I think maybe I used to though...I'll be seeing you at the clinic i guess.
DO NOT bring the goat"
47 minutes ago
Randy Handlinger replied to CarloEEL2's discussion Scouting report - today’s Tele
"I would guess that Ryley has bulked up a bit since his '25 time"
54 minutes ago
ScottX replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"Truth be told, it was that exact thinking about WB that led to this blog and I was hoping for some thoughts from everyone in this specific regard. I just found it interesting that his own club isn't supporting the rule change that WB seems quite…"
56 minutes ago
Hell On Eels replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?

Randy and Pops, I agree. It’s good to see ScottyX posting blogs again after many years. Hopefully Acme does, and more posters too, even if it’s from the opposite point of view.Disagreement and criticism are okay, often healthy, as long as we keep…"
59 minutes ago
Acme replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"Hard to say for sure, it would seem so. Let's say yes to get the ball rolling
I hope you're right ScottX, we could definitely use a little luck. I did see Wayne Bennet speak a few weeks ago and he was a very interesting bloke to listen to. I would…"
1 hour ago
Randy Handlinger replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"...says the goat-blower"
1 hour ago
ScottX replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"Just my first blog in a few years. I did see your welcome on another blog but didn't clarify that I have definitely been around for quite a while.
My apologies to you Randy as it did lead to a fairly valid comment from you based on that…"
1 hour ago
Poppa replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"Check it out "Rudolph" it was something other than that.....besides you should know better than take any notice of me!
Is minus one a good thing or a bad thing on a dementia scorecard?......it's that I am not thinking straight lately! lol
No more…"
1 hour ago
Randy Handlinger replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"Hey Acme, does this count as a blog by someone who was previously deterred becoming more active and adding more content?
I think it does"
1 hour ago
Poppa replied to Squire's discussion Where to stay Round 1 2026 v Storm
"That's nice but make sure the kids are busy somewhere else when you bring her back! "
1 hour ago
Hell On Eels replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"ScottX, lots to digest there. Great questions. Just wanted to pop in and say thanks for the insightful contribution.
My gut feel is that we’re more aligned up top than we’ve been for a long time, and that’s starting to filter through. That helps…"
1 hour 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 on Friday
Views: 1905

ANY MORE SIGNINGS???

I've been frustrated recently about the work we have been doing in the open market. Jonah's alright for a year and JDB is solid but he's getting old. I feel we need more in the forwards and some a replacement outside back. All I have seen is links…

Read more…
0 Replies
Views: 215

 

Where to stay Round 1 2026 v Storm

G'day everyone.  Taking my son ( it's his 16th birthday pressie) and my 17 yo daughter to round 1 in Melbourne.  Hoping with the Storm rivalry (and the Lomax shenanigans) we get a decent away crowd.  Question, can anyone recommend a hotel within…

Read more…
6 Replies · Reply by Poppa 1 hour ago
Views: 590

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