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 Fiddy's discussion Leave Samrani at centre
"Lateral thinking Aracom, it can take you to so many places, you thought you would never see!"
6 minutes ago
Poppa replied to Fiddy's discussion Leave Samrani at centre
"Speed and Pace....whilst important, he would end up a different style of winger, has enough to run say the distance that Joash ran on Friday Night.
The Penrith winger Tuho (sp) is not that quick but Penisini would also be good in the hit ups, I feel…"
9 minutes ago
Priceforever replied to Aj's discussion Jonah Pezet
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28 minutes ago
Poupou Escobar replied to Joel K's discussion Ryles on 2gb
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Mallee57 replied to Joel K's discussion Ryles on 2gb
"And cowboys errors"
3 hours ago
Blue Eel replied to Fiddy's discussion Leave Samrani at centre
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3 hours ago
Nightmare Off-Season replied to Fiddy's discussion Leave Samrani at centre
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As you said, you know they will give it their all & never let you down through lack of effort or commitment.
Perfect top 30 players, and yep, the opposite of Matterson. 
 
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3 hours ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Fiddy's discussion Leave Samrani at centre
"💯 I to like Samrani and believe he has the makings of a good backrower.
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4 hours ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Joel K's discussion Ryles on 2gb
"💯 and lack of errors."
4 hours ago
Poppa replied to Aj's discussion Jonah Pezet
"Don't swallow next time Clint Lol"
4 hours ago
Nightmare Off-Season replied to Fiddy's discussion Leave Samrani at centre
"Really like Samrani, seems like such a ’team first’ player as PT mentioned, and seems genuinely very popular amongst teammates.
Him & Joash seem like essential top 30 players. Versatile, hardworking, selfless, Eels first.
 
If Jordan was to be a…"
4 hours ago
Poppa replied to Aj's discussion Jonah Pezet
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4 hours ago
Poppa replied to Aj's discussion Jonah Pezet
"You need some acupuncture Bluey..... or at least an erotic massage."
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Poppa replied to Aj's discussion Jonah Pezet
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4 hours ago
Poppa replied to Parra fan on The Hill's discussion Parra Juniors- Sanders v Talagi versing
"Fair point Clint, but so are all the other comments......if Joash Pappilli went to Penrith and played 5/8, I would guarantee that he would be a lot more as a game influencer than Blaize, that said Joash also needs a lot of polish. That try he scored…"
5 hours ago
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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.

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14 Replies · Reply by Poppa Jan 9
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