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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Will 5150 replied to Hell On Eels's discussion R11 Game Day Blog, Magic Round v Storm: Trauma and Redemption
"Hoping Gough lets another 6-again-less game happen like the Dogs game..."
15 seconds ago
Michael W. replied to Hell On Eels's discussion R11 Game Day Blog, Magic Round v Storm: Trauma and Redemption
"I'm sure the Storm would have approached the NRL to "apply the blowtorch" to Parramatta, they need to win this game to keep in touch with the 8."
2 minutes ago
Darren Munro replied to Angry Eel's discussion Herbie
"As long g as he doesn't wear jeffs shoulder pads. "
5 minutes ago
JC replied to Angry Eel's discussion Herbie
"Best is again facing time on the sidelines with injury,  misses more games than he plays, probably best to stay away from him, pun intended"
13 minutes ago
JC commented on Herbert Hamilton’s status
"Home ground advantage?, the games at suncorp stadium"
17 minutes ago
Darren Munro replied to Hell On Eels's discussion R11 Game Day Blog, Magic Round v Storm: Trauma and Redemption
"Great post hoe! I hope we beat these basta%*^.
Hate Melbourne with a passion. 
Going to be up against it with ref gough. Plenty of parramatta jerseys up here even in valley last night 🌙. 
 
Go parra!"
18 minutes ago
Graham polkinghorne replied to Hell On Eels's discussion R11 Game Day Blog, Magic Round v Storm: Trauma and Redemption
"I think it will be a good game, close Eels 22 v Storm 18. Fox mom."
57 minutes ago
Nitram replied to Hell On Eels's discussion R11 Game Day Blog, Magic Round v Storm: Trauma and Redemption
"We have a -17% swing under Gough in terms of win percentage. Yeah, that is massive. He either hates parra or its one massive coincidence."
59 minutes ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Angry Eel's discussion Herbie
"101 is only helping because he likes the sound of that party...hell, he'd do it if we win tonight"
1 hour ago
LB replied to Hell On Eels's discussion R11 Game Day Blog, Magic Round v Storm: Trauma and Redemption
"Da Silva is the key. He is a point of difference v a team like Melbourne."
1 hour ago
LB replied to Hell On Eels's discussion R11 Game Day Blog, Magic Round v Storm: Trauma and Redemption
"Ryles doing same as last week.
Paulo to bench, Williams to middle and Guymer to edge."
1 hour ago
The Badger replied to Hell On Eels's discussion R11 Game Day Blog, Magic Round v Storm: Trauma and Redemption
"Wouldn't we all like to see us reverse the round 1 scoreline?
Probably dreamin' ...
 "
1 hour ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin replied to Angry Eel's discussion Herbie
"Lol"
1 hour ago
EA replied to Hell On Eels's discussion R11 Game Day Blog, Magic Round v Storm: Trauma and Redemption
"Welll lots of your juniors have union schoolboy or Waratah pedigree. The Penisini brothers are Kings school. Moretti was an Aussie union schoolboy. Bloomfield, Risati, Polley, Sorovi, Kotorac, and more play union. All these boys play both league and…"
1 hour ago
Kurupt - Your Mums Favourite Thug replied to Hell On Eels's discussion R11 Game Day Blog, Magic Round v Storm: Trauma and Redemption
"Eels by 26"
1 hour ago
mongolian trotting duck replied to Angry Eel's discussion Herbie
"maybe jeff fenech can put in a good word to best "
1 hour 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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