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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Sparky the Eel replied to Die hard eels Supporter's discussion Just heard on triple M whisper that Eels and Dragons are monitoring the Luke Metcalf situation at the warriors
"Parra need centres big team Xerri & Tago would be ideal pick up this season, Yes CHT would be a good pick up but dont se Warriors letting him go"
2 minutes ago
Hell On Eels replied to Die hard eels Supporter's discussion Just heard on triple M whisper that Eels and Dragons are monitoring the Luke Metcalf situation at the warriors
"I like CHT too. Someone called him a baby-faced assassin. Pretty spot on. But that Kamazee style won't always pay off."
36 minutes ago
Seraph replied to Die hard eels Supporter's discussion Just heard on triple M whisper that Eels and Dragons are monitoring the Luke Metcalf situation at the warriors
"Read this morning that Josh Schuster is eyeing a train and trial deal between two unnamed Sydney based clubs. Could the Eels be a landing spot?"
40 minutes ago
parra supporter replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓's discussion Parramatta sign Harrison Edwards immediately
"I don't mind him as a 1.5 year signing for hooker back up next year. In the current game, it's difficult for hookers to play a full 80 and a versatile backup like him would be well suited."
42 minutes ago
Jack replied to Die hard eels Supporter's discussion Just heard on triple M whisper that Eels and Dragons are monitoring the Luke Metcalf situation at the warriors
"Spend the money elsewhere. We have an elite half coming through. Throw the book at Herbie "
48 minutes ago
Die hard eels Supporter replied to Die hard eels Supporter's discussion Just heard on triple M whisper that Eels and Dragons are monitoring the Luke Metcalf situation at the warriors
"I don't think the Eels know who they want for the 6 jersey, they went after Galvin and missed, then wanted Joash to play 6, then went after Pezet and missed and took him for a 1 year deal to develop our own, now it looks like they are going back on…"
52 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Die hard eels Supporter's discussion Just heard on triple M whisper that Eels and Dragons are monitoring the Luke Metcalf situation at the warriors
"I don't see what the point is here if we are looking at the mentioned is Talataina not who we think he is as CHT makes more sense if you want a half to play next to Moses.Metcalfe is a 7 not a 6 and he's defense is questionable.He makes more sense…"
57 minutes ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓's discussion Parramatta sign Harrison Edwards immediately
"Eels95, even though he's not a great Hooker he can play it somewhat if desperate. Would rather that than someone like Hudson or Coinakis when nowhere near ready. Edwards at Hooker if needed is ok as he can defend ok as well and has 57 NRL games."
1 hour ago
Bubba j replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓's discussion Parramatta sign Harrison Edwards immediately
"I hope he goes well for us and we need players but I hope this is just the start and some big names are coming we desperately need at least 2 elite signings for next year "
1 hour ago
Baracuda replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓's discussion Parramatta sign Harrison Edwards immediately
"I agree mate, he will do a role and fill a void. hes mobile, conditioned to playing NRL (not throwing a junior into the cauldon before they are ready) and reasonable good defender.
Across his NRL career, his tackle efficiency sits around 92.4% with…"
1 hour ago
Jack replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓's discussion Parramatta sign Harrison Edwards immediately
"Iv heard we will be throwing shuster a life line next year "
1 hour ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓's discussion Parramatta sign Harrison Edwards immediately
"Spencer can get this year but Martin no.
This is break glass for this year. Those panicking bring up names that realistically we won't get this year need to relax. Edwards is not signed to start full-time.
Saying mucking around with rejects when he…"
1 hour ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓's discussion Parramatta sign Harrison Edwards immediately
"Fair call. We have not many spots open for 2027. If we already have given him 2027 then not great. But hopefully it's a case of this year then if he does well give him 27' as well."
1 hour ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓's discussion Parramatta sign Harrison Edwards immediately
"No EA, Hock deal is done, that will win us the comp. Just needs to wait for his bail to be set."
1 hour ago
Tin Tim replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓's discussion Parramatta sign Harrison Edwards immediately
"Spencer & Liam Martin at all cost. You want to be competitive, these two will take you a long way. Let's stop mucking around with rejects. "
1 hour ago
Eels95 replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓's discussion Parramatta sign Harrison Edwards immediately
"We need to chill just a bit. These kinds of signings don't affect your ability to sign big name players. That's the issue. We don't have a lot of top end talent in the roster. But that's a separate problem to this. Our middles have been destroyed…"
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.

Read more…
14 Replies · Reply by Poppa Jan 9
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