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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Blue Eel replied to EA's discussion EA & SB Rookie Report - SG Ball Watchlist
"Thanks EA, love your calls mate. Any chance you might consider naming your man of the match or 3 2 1 points for the teams. I'd find that very helpful when i hear their names and associating them in your later calls. 
'Great service EA. 👍"
18 minutes ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to EA's discussion EA & SB Rookie Report - SG Ball Watchlist
"Thx EA.  When it comes to development knowledge on 1ee,  nobody Trumps Ea
There's nothing better than one of our own jnr debutants making it to.fg.  Ryles has that goal of bringing through Parramatta people and its showing throughout all grades atm.…"
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The Badger replied to EA's discussion EA & SB Rookie Report - SG Ball Watchlist
"Thanks for your time doing all this mate."
3 hours ago
EA replied to EA's discussion EA & SB Rookie Report - SG Ball Watchlist
"I won't comment much on the JF trial. I see Sorovi is there. I won't watch the nsw cup trial. "
3 hours ago
EA replied to EA's discussion EA & SB Rookie Report - SG Ball Watchlist
"Eels were not even close to their best "
3 hours ago
EA replied to EA's discussion EA & SB Rookie Report - SG Ball Watchlist
"40-16 FT"
3 hours ago
EA replied to EA's discussion EA & SB Rookie Report - SG Ball Watchlist
"And I jinxed him. He doesn't convert the last try."
3 hours ago
EA replied to EA's discussion EA & SB Rookie Report - SG Ball Watchlist
"Eels score through Bloomfield. Famui with a great run and offload and Howlett basketball pass over the top for Bloomfield to score"
4 hours ago
EA replied to EA's discussion EA & SB Rookie Report - SG Ball Watchlist
"eels🤦🏽‍♂️ off the play the ball eels get tackled and get penalised for throwing the marker away lol. Sharks score on the right later in the set "
4 hours ago
EA replied to EA's discussion EA & SB Rookie Report - SG Ball Watchlist
"Sharks put a kick up. Rokusuka lets it bounce. Sharks winger gets the ball and burns Rokusuka. But here comes Davis. David shows his blistering speed to tackle the winger into touch just before he grounds the ball"
4 hours ago
EA replied to EA's discussion EA & SB Rookie Report - SG Ball Watchlist
"Sharks are chasing the points. On the last they try keep it alive. They throw a offload out the back which is picked up by Koina who finds Bloomfield. He shows great speed to run 50m and score under the posts. 36-12. Fletcher kicked all his goals…"
4 hours ago
EA replied to EA's discussion EA & SB Rookie Report - SG Ball Watchlist
"After a very sloppy passage of the game eels score. Nice little chip over the defensive line from Davis. Howlett juggles the ball to score. Ref deems he gathered the ball cleanly before grounded. Following set eels roll 100m. Sharks on their feet.…"
4 hours ago
EA replied to EA's discussion EA & SB Rookie Report - SG Ball Watchlist
"18-12"
4 hours ago
EA replied to EA's discussion EA & SB Rookie Report - SG Ball Watchlist
"Eels in good ball. Bamblett gets it at first receiver and plays an inside ball to Davis. The speed and the agility!!! In one step he beats two defenders and slices through the defence. He then shows his acceleration to get to the try line before any…"
4 hours ago
EA replied to EA's discussion EA & SB Rookie Report - SG Ball Watchlist
"And it keeps continuing. Sharks get a penalty and take the 2 before HT. 12-12 at HT. Eels should have not been at the position. They dropped the ball of a scrum on play 1. Pritchard is having a poor game. He has also thrown a ball into touch on the…"
4 hours ago
EA replied to EA's discussion EA & SB Rookie Report - SG Ball Watchlist
"Quality of this game has been so shit. Errors after errors or penalties "
4 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
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