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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Parra-all-the-way replied to Yeah Man's discussion RELAX
"great blog and agree with the thinking! 2 and 2 after the teams we have played, and at their home ground, ill take that! as has been said, we all probably thought we would be 1 from 4 at this stage. the next few weeks we havea  chance to move up the…"
2 minutes ago
The Captain replied to Roy tannous's discussion Anyone else lose faith
"You're right to disagree with my claim of "buying discards" as an overall strategy Adam - it was a very blunt statement and oversimplified.
What I should have said is "In our current predicament (with a squad that is substantially below that of…"
27 minutes ago
LB replied to LB's discussion Cayless to apply for Manly job?
"Just found it that there are simpletons in this world and always will be"
39 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Roy tannous's discussion Anyone else lose faith
"No point they no better I'll save my breath and watch everyone who isn't named Parra do it."
44 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Roy tannous's discussion Anyone else lose faith
"But that's the whole point isn't it they've already developed and secured there elite talent through the mentioned they don't have to recruit like we do.
I mean let's face it the only elite talent to come through our pathways the last decade are…"
46 minutes ago
Mitchy replied to LB's discussion Cayless to apply for Manly job?
"OMG, as said Manly will hire ex manly player. As for the other comments....let it go through to the keeper."
46 minutes ago
LB replied to LB's discussion Iongi 8 weeks, Doorey season
"Similar to BA style? Normally all the back-rowers BA wanted and got could play middle as well. Cartwright and Tuilagi the exceptions."
1 hour ago
Fiddy replied to Yeah Man's discussion RELAX
"Also, if penrith had built their stadium, we would have played the 3 best teams away from home out of 4 games..dont know how that is fair.
 
when we saw the draw, i think all of us expected to be 1 and 3...
we are 2 and 2..we will improve as the…"
1 hour ago
JC replied to LB's discussion Iongi 8 weeks, Doorey season
"The knights are after him."
3 hours ago
Adam Magrath replied to Roy tannous's discussion Anyone else lose faith
"I guess the point I'm making is that in none of the Panthers players you've mentioned they've over extended themselves to acquire. They've either come through the Panthers system or been cheap buys.
Captain in another blog said words to the effect…"
3 hours ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to Roy tannous's discussion Anyone else lose faith
"Hit the nail on the head. We have supporters whom are living in fairy land."
5 hours ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Roy tannous's discussion Anyone else lose faith
"All the clip said to me and much like the game on the weekend was how much more professionally run they are as a club than us.Sure we are early in the process but as mentioned we aren't anywhere close to Penrith on or off the park that's the reality…"
7 hours ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Roy tannous's discussion Anyone else lose faith
"I no this is early and purely speculative on my part but if in 12 months nothings changed what do we do if Moses wants a release to try  win this thing elsewhere.There will definitely be a market for him.Would you be surprised if after nie 10 yrs at…"
7 hours ago
Yehez replied to LB's discussion Iongi 8 weeks, Doorey season
"I still think we are OK on depth, just. 
De Belin and Kelly need to comeback into the 19. And Guymer stays there. 
It really should be enough to tie us over. Though I do feel next week's game might be another hard one. "
8 hours ago
Alfred Mateo replied to Roy tannous's discussion Anyone else lose faith
"Well said Captain and you're absolutely right. We still have that legacy "happy to make up the numbers" culture at the club and I absolutely hate saying that. Ryles made the comment in the presser after the saints win-words to the effect "if you…"
9 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Roy tannous's discussion Anyone else lose faith
"So what , it doesn't mean we can't get him again.  Pops you are doing anything and everything to support the failure mark O'Neill"
10 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
Views: 2263

 

Cayless to apply for Manly job?

Gal apprently believes Nathan Cayless will apply for Manly job. Lol doubt he gets it but never a harm going for it.Cayless did an alright job in Cup last year and has done ok this year so far.What is funny is this comment on facebook that will…

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2 Replies · Reply by LB 39 minutes ago
Views: 101

RELAX

Reading people comments here and other forums the verwhelming majoirty of people feelings are quiet negative and very pessimistic. Being 2-2 with having played 3 best teams in the comp including beating defedning permiers at home . We are just in…

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4 Replies · Reply by Parra-all-the-way 2 minutes ago
Views: 349

Anyone else lose faith

I'm not talking about eels I'm talking about our stupid recruitiment and retention team.Like how can a group be so fcken stupid,surely we can petition to get em out of the club cause they fcken suck.Like you look at all the other clubs signing guns…

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37 Replies · Reply by The Captain 27 minutes ago
Views: 618

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