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 ParraEels's discussion If you ever need a laugh
"Pops I'd just keep churning the youngsters give them there shots and add vets.I see the Warriors grabbed guys like Mitch Barnett Maranta Nuikore Wade Egan and just surround them with young players who eventually get pushed out.
Riff the same Leota…"
26 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Triple M - eels not fazed if Lomax leaves.
"Not phased ok who else we got and please don't say Simonsson is ready made.I'll say it now we are taking a hiding in that area if JR thinks it's like for like as a replacement because the outside backs take a huge hit if Lomax leaves.
Anyway…"
36 minutes ago
Cumberland Eel replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Triple M - eels not fazed if Lomax leaves.
"I reckon he will stay. it's a bit too dicey especially if the 10 year NRL ban is real. He would miss Australia I reckon"
3 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Eels rated big winners in 2026 draw
"Lol. Nice comeback popo. I'll pay that"
5 hours ago
LB replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Triple M - eels not fazed if Lomax leaves.
"R360 has gone cold. Haas word came up and then died off quick. A few weeks back it was countdown to a signing frenzy, nothing happened."
6 hours ago
Eli Stephens replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Triple M - eels not fazed if Lomax leaves.
"It's still very much up in the air, could stay for sure "
7 hours ago
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER replied to ParraEels's discussion If you ever need a laugh
"If we sign Keloamatangi how come no one saying it and if we sign him is it fir next year or 27"
7 hours ago
Yehez replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Triple M - eels not fazed if Lomax leaves.
"The depth would be impacted, but our top 17 would still be fine assuming Simonsson picks up his form. He's a very good right winger. 
It does mean we'll need to sign a couple of backups, but maybe the club will just give the likes of Nanva and…"
7 hours ago
LB replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Triple M - eels not fazed if Lomax leaves.
"Well the fact Ryles said they would release him if asked demonstrated that. I wonder what their plan is if he does go as our backs depth is slim."
8 hours ago
Eli Stephens replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Triple M - eels not fazed if Lomax leaves.
"Due back at training this week but nothing confirmed on his future yet. NAS keen on joining Parra but eels need to create space. (Matterson lol)"
8 hours ago
Parra_Greg replied to ParraEels's discussion If you ever need a laugh
"Keaon Koloamatangi  lol the chance of this guy coming to our team is buckleys....With MON as our recruiment guru ...its beyond laughable ....its sad as we do have some potential as an emerging club and a great replacement for Jnr Paulo ....."
8 hours ago
Poppa replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Eels rated big winners in 2026 draw
"Well even Cavemen and Amoeba's deserve an education Chiefy.
Those two rocks my son were your ballls, I was trying to get them to drop!

 "
8 hours ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Rabz S's discussion 26 NRL Draw released
"Progression that's all I'm looking for next year.
Line the farkers up and let's go get the farkers.
None of this sook shite let's go get 'em if we are good enough great if we aren't just give a good account of yourself and keep improving..We clearly…"
9 hours ago
Poppa replied to Rabz S's discussion 26 NRL Draw released
"Cumberland Eel CE get this chip of your shoulder the world has better things to do than hate Parramatta Rugby League football.
Surely there is some old camels up there in the desert you can give some encouragement too.....then when you have done…"
9 hours ago
Perpetual Motion replied to ParraEels's discussion If you ever need a laugh
"This."
9 hours ago
Poppa replied to Rabz S's discussion 26 NRL Draw released
"Assuming we are prepared first up, we were not obviously last year.Then if we could nearly beat these sides at the end of last year, cannot see what's changed.....assume Moses and Lomax play!
Good time to catch the top teams they won't be peaking at…"
9 hours ago
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https://www.zerotackle.com/nas-discusses-potential-eels-move-228804/?utm_campaign=Zero+Tackle&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter"The 29-year-old admitted he's uncertain whether his next chapter will be in the NRL, rugby union, or even away from…

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1 Reply · Reply by Coryn Hughes 19 hours ago
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