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

Eli Stephens replied to LB's discussion V'Landys on Hello Sport
"Zach will eventually get back into the nrl, no one hates him it's just a bigger issue in the game. These contracts are useless and storm trying to benefit from it. Eels need to get proper value in return."
2 minutes ago
macybrown replied to Hell On Eels's discussion The Eels v Lomax: Timeline and Key Questions
"Yes Nitram, Nrl do think all fans are stupid suckers...think they showed this couldn't care less attitude to fans,back when they changed NRL GF time slot.
and obviously in their attitude towards this issue and fans major gripes about contracts not…"
2 minutes ago
The Badger replied to Hell On Eels's discussion The Eels v Lomax: Timeline and Key Questions
"The answer to your last question is, yes they do & they don't give a toss about the intelligence or viewpoint of fans. 
Thus this pathetic open for all Origin change.  If it ain't broke don't fix it!"
9 minutes ago
LB replied to Hell On Eels's discussion The Eels v Lomax: Timeline and Key Questions
"Great point Nitram. Like i used this anology with my mates, like saying a bloke got caught having an affair on his wife with two women. His wife took the kids and left him. Then have his mates come out and say "He's a great bloke and did all these…"
10 minutes ago
macybrown replied to Hell On Eels's discussion The Eels v Lomax: Timeline and Key Questions
"Im not surprised that mental health issues were raised in relation to Lomax, but Im very much astounded that it was raised not by zacs manager or by some alias on line reporter, but V’landys (whom supposedly should be a neutral party in this).…"
11 minutes ago
Nitram replied to Hell On Eels's discussion The Eels v Lomax: Timeline and Key Questions
"Exactly my point. Just because you are sad doesnt mean you should not suffer the consequences. Our society functions because of repercussions regardless of how they make us feel. If not then the world quickly becomes a lawless free for all.
This…"
35 minutes ago
LB replied to LB's discussion V'Landys on Hello Sport
"Yeah nobody is actually saying Lomax is a terrible person. He is making bad choices and the choice to try and pressure Parra to release him is not a great move. Great people can do some bad things, that is human nature.
What irked me the most from…"
59 minutes ago
Randy Handlinger replied to LB's discussion V'Landys on Hello Sport
"That the Eels are being jelly-haters"
1 hour ago
Randy Handlinger replied to LB's discussion V'Landys on Hello Sport
"This Ugly Pete tale of "hospital Lomax" just shows how far down in the weeds he is.
He is saying it is okay for him to be biased as long as he knows or likes you. Isn't this the problem?
With this drivel he is simply highlighting why "he gots to…"
1 hour ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Hell On Eels's discussion The Eels v Lomax: Timeline and Key Questions
"I crashed my car a few years back. It was my fault, and that made me sad."
1 hour ago
Anguillidae replied to LB's discussion V'Landys on Hello Sport
"PVL playing the mental health card to suit his narrative. What's next from this complete charlatan?"
1 hour ago
Randy Handlinger replied to SuperEel 22's discussion CONFIRMED: Storm asked NRL to bully Eels into Lomax deal
"Yeah Adam, and not from some NRL psychologist. Independent clinical assessment pls"
1 hour ago
Axel replied to LB's discussion V'Landys on Hello Sport
"There are many players at every club who give up a lot of their time to call on hospitals and visit sick fans. These stories are not always brought to the public. Good on Zac to give up some of his time for that sick kid, but he's one of many…"
1 hour ago
MattL replied to SuperEel 22's discussion CONFIRMED: Storm asked NRL to bully Eels into Lomax deal
"Yep, they like to blame the reaction rather than own their action that kicked it all off."
1 hour ago
Randy Handlinger replied to SuperEel 22's discussion CONFIRMED: Storm asked NRL to bully Eels into Lomax deal
"I find it deplorable that the head of the game comes out and uses the narrative of mental health to sway public opinion...You only find it deplorable because because it is. Multiple levels of disgraceful glibness being thoughtlessly bandied about…"
1 hour ago
Clintorian replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Ryles 2.0: 2026 gets off to a bright start in Eels trial
"I think it was a good hit out for our first trial, but do agree we need to temper our expectations as Cronulla didn't provide much threat at all, it was almost as though Fitzy purposely told them to hold back on their attacking plays and the goal…"
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 Jan 9
Views: 2075

 

V'Landys on Hello Sport

Happy Monday, if anyone wants a good laugh to start their week, skip to 32:50 mark and listen to this f***wit talk. It is laughable seriously. Claiming the offer of $300k was a great deal and we can put that into our junior system. But said we can…

Read more…
6 Replies · Reply by Eli Stephens 2 minutes ago
Views: 403

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