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

The Captain replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner; The cattle is the problem, this maybe the catalyst to make us do some drastic things!
"Parra is easily accessible from the beaches. Plenty of businesses with offices in Parra have owners who live in the Eastern Suburbs or Northern Beaches.
If anything our connection to Western Sydney should give us a massive advantage because that is…"
9 minutes ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin replied to Roy tannous's discussion Dylan walker offered to super league clubs🥺
" I reckon we're offering a year to year. His management want at least 2 years security "
13 minutes ago
The Captain replied to Roy tannous's discussion Dylan walker offered to super league clubs🥺
"https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/parramatta-eels-star-dylan-wal...
Yeah these sources are usually pretty on the money for Super League stuff.
I mean on the one hand I get it - he's probably looking to secure a good final contract to see out his…"
16 minutes ago
Poppa replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner; The cattle is the problem, this maybe the catalyst to make us do some drastic things!
"I think about that Pricey, but I also think about Penrith in terms of location....I reckon I could sell our location when we train at Kellyville and play at Com Bank.
The hills district out to Hawkesbury is as good an upmarket area as it gets with…"
38 minutes ago
The Captain replied to Diggs for PM's discussion Spence
"This was a quote from Spencer himself on the weekend:“When people test my integrity and loyalty to this club, it makes me a bit angry. I hold myself to high standards in terms of integrity and loyalty. To all the Roosters fans, I’m here to stay. I…"
1 hour ago
Parra_Greg replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Moderation Note: Forum Standards
"No you have missed my point totally.
I dont care what people say but there are some that get a long rope and nothing happens to their comments or personal attacks.
Shut down is arbitrary maybe challenge is a better term.    Im happy to pull my head…"
1 hour ago
Darren Munro replied to Diggs for PM's discussion Spence
"That means he's definitely going and soon. Remember lomax "i am contracted to Parramatta blah blah blah"
 
Hahahaha 😆 😂 "
1 hour ago
Prof. Daz replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Moderation Note: Forum Standards
"Actually, Clintorian, I had friends over for backyard drinks and open fire pit. Did not watch the game and unsure if I will watch replay. Saw about 3 x 1 minute check-ins and each time Eels dropped the ball in attacking positions, so I knew it was…"
1 hour ago
Prof. Daz replied to Diggs for PM's discussion Spence
"Wasn't Leniu just in an interview the other day saying he is staying at Chooks, and departure stories are unfounded?
Always possible it's a "Phil Gould" BS lie but he still said not going anywhere"
2 hours ago
Clintorian replied to Diggs for PM's discussion Spence
"Hell yes. He's a high impact enforcer that's exactly what we're missing, and have been missing someone like him for a while.
When you add him to our pack of Tuivaiti (Engine Power), Moretti (Speed), Matele & Brown (Youth & Power), Spencer brings in…"
2 hours ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Moderation Note: Forum Standards
"This is very true but on the flipside like you first mentioned that's not upto the fans it's upto the team.So when is the team going to man up and fix an obvious issue that's been there from the jump.
As for the negativity again that's on the club…"
2 hours ago
Clintorian replied to Diggs for PM's discussion Spence
"Stringbean... classic Aussie icon."
2 hours ago
Clintorian replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Moderation Note: Forum Standards
"100% Eelovution"
2 hours ago
Clintorian replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Moderation Note: Forum Standards
"Thanks Hector.
I find I just get wound up even more, and then it's easy to get into fights with others. We just need to be more 'self-aware' of our current mood and not engage in arguments that serve no purpose."
2 hours ago
Clintorian replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Moderation Note: Forum Standards
"Happy to focus our sack-a-thon energy towards O'Niell for now 😅
We all know where our team is at and the injury crisis we're in. We just have to kind of be a bit pragmatic about it and not so 'reactionary'.
But in saying that... I was every bit as…"
2 hours ago
Clintorian replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Moderation Note: Forum Standards
"Here here Richard 👏"
2 hours 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: 2434

 

Spence

It's been a while. the Spence touring our centre of excellence today. I heard we are signing him before June 30 for 26-27 only. He wants a PNG contract. Not sure if we should bother. Thoughts?

Read more…
37 Replies · Reply by The Captain 1 hour ago
Views: 1849

Spirits crushed

Spirits crushed.. just looking at all the teams in the comp compared to us and Fmd.Newcastle wooden spooners now playing amazing footy and tigers 3 wooden spoons in a row and at full strength brilliant.Just looking at all the shit teams in the last…

Read more…
20 Replies · Reply by BringBackSemi 8 hours ago
Views: 792

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