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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TolEllts replied to Parra fan on The Hill's discussion Parra Juniors- Sanders v Talagi versing
"Unfortunately, BA was coaching with vested interest with Jake and Matt career in his mind."
20 minutes ago
Mitchy replied to Aj's discussion Jonah Pezet
"He plays 5/8 or half for me when he is back; he only played a few games and yes did not start good but his game against Brisbane was good. He will get better; as for the discussion around his contract does not matter now; he is ours for the season."
24 minutes ago
Parra fan on The Hill replied to Aj's discussion Jonah Pezet
"Ok but we have 1 win more this season since we are 4-6 oppossed to 3-7 last year which have lost 2 rep players (DB and Lomax) whilst we are injury ravaged and having a game (vs Tigers) STOLEN from us.
I see Volkman and Samrani are revelations so far…"
28 minutes ago
Randy Handlinger commented on Hell On Eels's event R11 v Storm: Saturday Night, Magic Round
"Is it us Kurupt? Is it us???
I really hope it's us
I bet it's us.
I'm so happy that it's us
But...It's never us'
fuck
It's not us is it?
 
 "
1 hour ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Aj's discussion Jonah Pezet
"Honestly I'm not paying attention to the results because I still stand by my statement round 3 after the dragons win when I put the line through us then.
Injuries have hurt us but I'm still seeing lack of physicality in the middle of the ruck and a…"
1 hour ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Aj's discussion Jonah Pezet
"Pezet will go and dock knobs with Matto. "
1 hour ago
Prof. Daz replied to Parra-all-the-way's discussion Is it just me?
"Guymer played 82 mins, at left backrow. Tuilagi played right backrow for 70 mins.
Paulo (55) & William (59) were props for most of the game. Doorey (28) & Mataele (29) the extra prop mins. Otherwise DBL & Walker were 'lock' and I think Pryke played…"
1 hour ago
Parra fan on The Hill replied to Aj's discussion Jonah Pezet
"Parra have gone above and beyond for that prick. He'll have no case."
1 hour ago
Clintorian replied to Parra fan on The Hill's discussion Parra Juniors- Sanders v Talagi versing
"I don't blame them, they all left under Brad Arthur's era, and BA was f*cking pathetic at developing juniors and playing them, he'd prefer to buy has-beens. They all made good decisions.
Ryles is different, I think we'll see a good crop come in…"
1 hour ago
Clintorian replied to Aj's discussion Jonah Pezet
"I'm at the age where I feel images like this in the chest"
1 hour ago
LB replied to Parra fan on The Hill's discussion Parra Juniors- Sanders v Talagi versing
"We had at the time told Gutho he's not wanted and pushed for Talagi at 1. He signed with Penrith and we got Iongi."
1 hour ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Aj's discussion Jonah Pezet
".....but then the prick will just sue us for the total value of the club.
I'm pretty sure ithat's his destiny anyway"
1 hour ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Aj's discussion Jonah Pezet
"Yeah EA, we often throw rocks at people here but forget to lob them Matto's way....he deserves boulders for the way he is going about doing whatever the fuck it is he thinks he is doing....hang on...brain injury...I wonder if he even realizes just…"
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Parra-all-the-way replied to Parra-all-the-way's discussion Is it just me?
"Williams front row sorry. Kelma right edge"
1 hour ago
Parra fan on The Hill replied to Parra fan on The Hill's discussion Parra Juniors- Sanders v Talagi versing
"I don't disagree. Purposely or not the timing of his declaration of departure after Talagi agreed terms with Penrith was catastrophic for us.
 "
1 hour ago
Parra fan on The Hill replied to Parra fan on The Hill's discussion Parra Juniors- Sanders v Talagi versing
"I don't recall that. I don't think would have offered that with Gutho still there.
 "
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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14 Replies · Reply by Poppa Jan 9
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