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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EA replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"Nope. He is a centre that can kick."
18 seconds ago
The Captain replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"I don't get the love for Burton.
No one has really figured out to use his skills in a way that makes him as valuable as everyone expects him to be (and what he'd expect his pay packet to be).
He's a talented footy player who's hype over the years…"
2 minutes ago
Adam Magrath replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"I'd prefer Galvin ahead of Burton but I guess we've already been down that road. Gus has certainly changed his tune on the wonder kid of late"
6 minutes ago
Stevo replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"Yes please, 2 bigs boots with he and moses and can cover a multitude of positions if needed with his size"
9 minutes ago
sloth replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"No thanks. Unless he takes a pay cut and comes over as a centre."
16 minutes ago
sloth replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin's discussion Our big signing Jayden Sua badly injured
"Yep I have. He's been underperforming but to be fair he's also playing through a leg injury.
To be honest, I'm thinking the same as you. Koloamatangi was a good signing target, but when considering price and contract length as a whole I'm not too…"
18 minutes ago
Yehez replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"If we go for Burton then Ryles does not think Lorenzo is ready next year, that's for sure. I am willing to trust Ryles about that if it happens.
I would try and keep Lorenzo while snaggin Burton, but that's pretty hard. 
Ideally, we are just…"
22 minutes ago
Eels95 replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"Big yes for me. It has been doing the rounds on the Kennel, social media and Hooper is talking about it. While all these things don't mean anything. The fact its being reported in all different parts of social media hopefully means there are some…"
23 minutes ago
Richard Jackson replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"Don't agree withgoing after Burton. Apart from his kicking game and ability to convert, he offers nothing else in attack.
He'd be the usual average. Why have the dogs gone cool on him?
Draw from inside, or wait and be generous for the more talented.…"
27 minutes ago
Eels tragic replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"OK I'll bite.  Just for one moment imagine if the two rumours that have emerged over the past week come true.  Spenser and Burton would make us a real threat in 2027 and if we could jag Herbie in the centres....well!  My juices will flow once…"
27 minutes ago
Matt McDermott replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"All that was said by James Hooper is that he`s been getting mail for a ` coupla ' weeks that Eels and Bears are monitoring the Matt Burton situation at Canterbury . Nothing to get excited bout yet , if at all . "
29 minutes ago
LB replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"Unless Ryles does not think he is up to it? As to why they are going for Burton."
29 minutes ago
LB replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"Yeah that's a fear, he could go elsewhere and be better than what Burton is. Many here will then use it as a "why did we let him go?" Claim while cheering on the Burton signing now.
Thats footy and that's what Ryles is paid for, to make the decision…"
29 minutes ago
LB replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"But again would he take that? He's only 26.
Burton would be looking for 3-4 years on 5/8 money. Simple as that. He can demand it as teams would pay it."
31 minutes ago
Yehez replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"True. I think this unsuredness if because you are never sure about juniors until they play first grade. 
I hope Lorenzo gets his chance next few weeks and we starting seeing for sure."
36 minutes ago
LB replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"You just said Burton is against it, so therefore good chance of it not happening. If a team wants Lorenzo and there is a clear path to FG, he will take it. As for kids earning their stripes. It's nice in theory but not the real world in sports. I…"
49 minutes 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
Views: 2441

 

Is this the bench moving foward

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5 Replies · Reply by JC 2 hours ago
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