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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Coryn Hughes replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"All I know is Parra need to win this case the bigger picture needs it.You would like to think this is an open and shit case but I feel the devil is in the details and fine print.
Hope the fine print goes in our favour there's big picture…"
15 minutes ago
Flow Basket replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"Japan please give Zac a job"
44 minutes ago
LB replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"There is a very good chance Melbourne just leave it, not worth their while. Yeah they have gone far enough as it is now, but  as you said they are not giving up any players, they have given up enough.
So therefore it is a simple "Well we cannot…"
1 hour ago
Codswallop replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"Lomax!  Sneaky, snake in the grass. Could nor trust him to not burn your toast. "
1 hour ago
fishbulb replied to GM's discussion Not Smart…JAC
"Abby dabby doo!"
7 hours ago
Perpetual Motion replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"The Storm are delaying things. They dont want him enough to swap a player. Next.
The longer it goes on the worse for Lomax. Especially if he is paying his own legal fees."
8 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"Riders of the Storm"
9 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"They might just call BA and try to turn the validity of his original contract into the issue and question that...Did we break some verbal assurances made by Bushy? 
That may be a better fight for them, the slippery pricks,
If it does happen, Acme…"
9 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"and how long should they run back? 3 mnths?"
9 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"They're fucking hatrplugs"
9 hours ago
LB replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"Or Lomax was swayed by the amazing scotch fillet Mrs Arthur cooked."
10 hours ago
Acme replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"Ha! They're a non-critical organ. Cut them out and be done with them."
13 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"Judge Jerry"
13 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"Storm need to fast track this and get Lomax into their system and stop fcn around and give the Eels a player. 
This legal issues could go on for months which Melbourne don't want.   Another club could easily undermine them and offer the Eels decent…"
13 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"Lol"
13 hours ago
TolEllts replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"Same thought. Those documents should just be readily available - ready to be printed, scanned, phtographed or emailed, unless they are trying to be document 'doctors' and try to change the past.
As they say, leopards never change their spots."
13 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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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…

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