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

LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Kelly done - reports
"EA, is Richie the future or do you think he won't go far and there is someone like Rokosuka who is the future.
Also, what happened to Lachlan Vella, he could have been a future Centre talent."
1 minute ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Kelly done - reports
"Well said."
1 minute ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Kelly done - reports
"True he would happily take carries in the backfield."
2 minutes ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Kelly done - reports
"I don't think Ryles wanted to replace Lomax like for like, he doesn't want to spend big money on Wingers."
4 minutes ago
Hell On Eels replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Kelly done - reports
"LB, excellent points as usual. Most on here poo pooed Walker and Kautoga earlier too. Let's see if Kelly signs. If Ryles likes him, then he must see a potentially good fit."
4 minutes ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Kelly done - reports
"He is experienced and can score a try. He is better than what we have in depth especially. As a Centre he is 2nd best."
5 minutes ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Kelly done - reports
"Well GC could be getting Taulagi. I would prefer him but seems Ryles prefers cheaper Wingers or only paying one Winger."
6 minutes ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Kelly done - reports
"Well yeah but many people didn't see that. He was good for Warriors but we utilised him better."
7 minutes ago
LB replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Kelly done - reports
"Kelly adds competition to Simonsson and Russell which is great."
8 minutes ago
Hell On Eels replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Kelly done - reports
"Frankie, you asked who closed the blog? I did, and I spoke with Poppa out of respect for him. His story was brilliant.
If you start talking religion in this footy blog, I'll delete your comments. Pull your head in and take it elsewhere.
Poppa's blog…"
9 minutes ago
Parrafan101 replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Kelly done - reports
"It's not who runs parra it's who is mates with that idiot Vlandys, dogs are completely rotting the system right in front of us and us and others clubs just sit there and let it happen. What about south's, us and dragons we make these offers from the…"
35 minutes ago
Bob Smith replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Kelly done - reports
"Good "
42 minutes ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Kelly done - reports
"The Dogs are already on the radar of a few clubs who aren't to happy with how quiet the NRL are in relation to Dogs salary cap.
 "
55 minutes ago
The Badger replied to Joeyboyz's discussion Lorenzo Talataina - 2025 SG Ball HIGHLIGHTS
"Agree, it's probably expected that he struggled defending in Reserves first year but it's how he went about the task I'm more interested in. Same with attack. How'd he go about things? That's what I'd like to get a gauge on. 
What are our coaching…"
59 minutes ago
EA replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Kelly done - reports
"Kelly has higher potential that Russel. Hopefully with JAC and JR he finds consistency with his defence and handling errors "
1 hour ago
Poppa replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Kelly done - reports
"Where have you got Russell going to Parra all the way?  Has anything been announced?"
1 hour 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…
11 Replies · Reply by Flow Basket on Wednesday
Views: 1358

ANY MORE SIGNINGS???

I've been frustrated recently about the work we have been doing in the open market. Jonah's alright for a year and JDB is solid but he's getting old. I feel we need more in the forwards and some a replacement outside back. All I have seen is links…

Read more…
0 Replies
Views: 108

 

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