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

EA replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 8 Team List v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Anzac Round)
"They would need to apply for dispensation since he is on a train and trial contract. "
4 minutes ago
Prof. Daz replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 8 Team List v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Anzac Round)
"Kelly, Penisini and Nanva all had 100+ all-run meters but only The Fox made the weekly Top 20 player contribution rating, so Fox might not be a backfield metre-eater but overall his involvement is high"
45 minutes ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 8 Team List v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Anzac Round)
"I know I do 😝"
46 minutes ago
Prof. Daz replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 8 Team List v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Anzac Round)
"EA, did the Eels have to apply for dispensation for Nanva? I'm with you on wondering if it was contract mgmt more than form. On form Kelly is lucky Nanva didn't take wing. Kelly's work rate and a few attacking touches were good but defensively there…"
51 minutes ago
CP replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 8 Team List v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Anzac Round)
"Might actually enjoy it "
52 minutes ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓 replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 8 Team List v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Anzac Round)
"Lol no pribs"
1 hour ago
EA replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 8 Team List v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Anzac Round)
"Yea he played on the wing a couple times in JF when he was 18 years old. Thats when he got promoted from SG ball when we won the comp in 2023. "
1 hour ago
EA replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 8 Team List v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Anzac Round)
"He is a more atheltic built of S Pryke. He has a great motor. Great footwork and effort. Last year in SG ball there were games where he was topping the tackle and meter count. When we choked the GF, it coincided with him leaving the field a bit…"
1 hour ago
Gucci replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 8 Team List v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Anzac Round)
"Richie P on the wing? Has he played on the wing before? Is this a trial to see if he can potentially develop into a winger moving forward?"
1 hour ago
EA replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 8 Team List v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Anzac Round)
"Jersey Flegg have not completed named their squad but currently Bamblett, Talagi and Petrus are the 3 SG ball players that have been promoted. There are 3 spots remaining to be named. Hopefully Koina and a couple of other Ball players are filling…"
1 hour ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 8 Team List v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Anzac Round)
"Heard from Blaze's uncle, Popo is a gun."
1 hour ago
Gucci replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 8 Team List v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Anzac Round)
"Mataele was folding blokes for fun last week. He has put on some serious size since his debut against the knights. If he can get his fitness right he reminds me of what Marata did for us before he left."
1 hour ago
EA replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 8 Team List v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Anzac Round)
"Some good news. Max Popo is returning from injury and he is gone straight to the starting prop role in NSW Cup. He has only played a couple of games of JF this year before the injury. Do not be surprised if he jumps up the ranks very quickly at the…"
1 hour ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 8 Team List v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Anzac Round)
"With lube we have a chance."
1 hour ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 8 Team List v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Anzac Round)
"Yes he has, he actually asked me if I knew who chief was, wants you to join Brown and Moa."
1 hour ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 8 Team List v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Anzac Round)
"Whichever team has the bigger forward pack wins. Touch footy and six agains."
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: 2351

 

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