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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Mallee57 replied to Slippery.'s discussion WHEN HOPE HAS GONE...WE CAN ONLY DREAM!
"The young Manly 7 played really well against the Panthers this evening. His name is Joe Walsh or Joey Walsh. Same name as the Eagles ( Music band) guitarist Joe Walsh who by the way was an extremely great guitarist. Hotel California and his own…"
4 minutes ago
Mallee57 replied to kev's discussion It's time for a new halfback
"I like that 🧐 that might just work "
11 minutes ago
KENDOZA replied to kev's discussion It's time for a new halfback
"Lol if mitch was the 7 at nz they would be 9-0. Tannah boyd was shit at the titans ffs. Last year he was rubbish for nz and metcalf was great fuck me some supporters jack off to early"
38 minutes ago
EA replied to Coryn Hughes's discussion R and R restore some faith.
"He is a mixture of D Walker and I Yeo. Very high IQ lock that controls the middle of the park. Knows when to run and when to pass. Can cover 9 as well if needed. Best player for us in HM this year for sure."
1 hour ago
EA replied to kev's discussion It's time for a new halfback
"I was thinking Paulo to 7 and Tuivita to 6. Moses to walk the bottles out in breaks."
1 hour ago
Mallee57 replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Eels ask for Sua 2026
"Brown was extremely good and has gone to new level at the Knights."
1 hour ago
Mallee57 replied to kev's discussion It's time for a new halfback
"Put Kelly at 6, Papali at 7, shift Moses to bench for a back up utility"
1 hour ago
Ezra replied to Coryn Hughes's discussion R and R restore some faith.
"You say Hayden will be long term when would you expect him to play and what type of player is he or mold of player . Have been hearing good things about him "
1 hour ago
LB replied to Slippery.'s discussion WHEN HOPE HAS GONE...WE CAN ONLY DREAM!
"With the backs. Farnworth, Purdue and To'o
6 I'd go with Strange, but any of them would be great.
Forwards yeah either for now."
1 hour ago
LB replied to kev's discussion It's time for a new halfback
"Sure let's just get a class 7 on the market, not that difficult. Or better yet get a 7 who's had a great 9 rounds and did nothing beforehand and has a great halves coach as head coach. No guarentees he works out of Warriors system and willing to…"
1 hour ago
ParraEels replied to kev's discussion It's time for a new halfback
""
2 hours ago
Hell On Eels replied to Parra-all-the-way's discussion Ryles pressor
"There is some truth there, Chiefy. Still, it doesn't prove he's lying. Matt Cameron has also admitted the same. Is he lying too? Ryles, Cameron, Gus et al — all saying the same thing about R&R being challenging. Realism. Ask any coach or…"
2 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓 replied to Parra-all-the-way's discussion Ryles pressor
"I know that,  but he'll also produce information to suit himself and the club he works for. 50% of his talk is skewed towards making other teams weaker,  and the dogs stronger"
2 hours ago
LB replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Eels ask for Sua 2026
"Yeah that will go down well. Just move him to the wing he should be grateful."
3 hours ago
Angry Eel replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Eels ask for Sua 2026
"Pay him the dollars and put him at FB. Iongi is good but he's not and never will be world class like Herbie. Iongi can move to the wing"
3 hours ago
Alfred replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Eels ask for Sua 2026
"Need something good. Seeing Dylan Brown destroying opponents. This is depressing give us something "
3 hours 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: 2391

 

It's time for a new halfback

Moses no longer should be halfback for parra it's time for a change they should shift him to 5/8 there's a open window there to sign boyd from the warriors they should snap him up shift papalii to the wing next season with volkman off the bench.

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6 Replies · Reply by Mallee57 11 minutes ago
Views: 197

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