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

Poppa replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Your Thoughts on the Future of the Site?
"You still looking after him carls? you deserve a prize for what you have done.....I hope you and the kids have a lovely Xmas."
4 minutes ago
Parra_Greg replied to Cumberland Eel's discussion Happy Christmas to ALL
"Merry Christmas one and all and all the best for 2026....Lets hope its a great year for us all ....even the mighty Parramatta Eels  Greg !"
20 minutes ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Your Thoughts on the Future of the Site?
"Yep....but nah, Brett was absolutely a mysogynist. His God gave him the dominions  over alls of the bitchs and he was happy to talk about it,...with biblical evidence no less"
33 minutes ago
Alfred replied to Roy tannous's discussion Sean Russell to depart for bears 2027
"That a shame thought his game was really starting to go to another level. Hopefully got someone else coming through the ranks "
45 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion South Sydney tables final offer as Keaon Koloamatangi weighs up $1 million offers
"Yet the powers that be at Parra exposed themselves wanting the very man who you think has lost the mentioned aura.
Parra are between a rock and a hard place when it comes to recruiting in the upper echelon.If the mentioned aren't attracted by JR the…"
1 hour ago
Parrafan101 replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion South Sydney tables final offer as Keaon Koloamatangi weighs up $1 million offers
"Nas is with boxing "
1 hour ago
CarloEEL2 replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Your Thoughts on the Future of the Site?
"I've learnt heaps and that was my whole point in joining in 2012 so I could learn more about the game and my team and not only that communicate with some more " normal " men 🤔😆😆😆"
1 hour ago
CarloEEL2 replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Your Thoughts on the Future of the Site?
"Merry Christmas to you too !!! I think I have so many battles with the ex that battling on here is way too exhausting too lol "
1 hour ago
CarloEEL2 replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Your Thoughts on the Future of the Site?
"Does that mean a bit preachy ? I liked Brett we both loved the joves and when I got the shits with some comments I interpreted as mysogenist we DM d about it and talked about our own failed marriages .
But I agree the Hillsongy preachy shit was a…"
1 hour ago
GM replied to Roy tannous's discussion Sean Russell to depart for bears 2027
"I don't think Richie will pan out as expected."
2 hours ago
SuperEel 22 replied to Roy tannous's discussion Sean Russell to depart for bears 2027
"Happy for him. He's always been a hard worker and hasn't shirked the tough stuff. The fact he was next man up for all of 2025 is testament to that. 2027 should give us enough time to either identify an external replacement or bring through the likes…"
3 hours ago
GM replied to Roy tannous's discussion Sean Russell to depart for bears 2027
"Good on him, he's good honest player "
3 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Roy tannous's discussion Sean Russell to depart for bears 2027
"Where's our Xmas present???
I think we were placed on Santa's NaughtyList in permanent marker"
3 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Your Thoughts on the Future of the Site?
"People are absolutely entitled to their beliefs, and I respect that right up until they expect me to play along or use a Bible quote as proof of something.
If the God in your head tells you that another group, a group of sinners no less, needs to be…"
3 hours ago
Poppa replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Your Thoughts on the Future of the Site?
"Thanks HK,  you have always been a practical responder and we do think along common lines.
Questions such as no religion's is of course totally impractical. One of the points I have made in previous posts/blogs is that desperate people, like those…"
4 hours ago
HKF replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Your Thoughts on the Future of the Site?
"All good points poppa, it was negligence on my part not conveying that BM's account on Brett is more assumption than known fact. Nonetheless, BM's, and therefore, your own post highlights the complicated mess this whole situation is.
The question…"
4 hours 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 Dec 17
Views: 1499

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: 121

 

Happy Christmas to ALL

I would just like to wish you all a really happy Christmas and a really healthy, happy and prosperous New Year in 2026! Please stay safe, don't drink and drive, spend precious time with your family and loved ones as life is too short and every day…

Read more…
13 Replies · Reply by Parra_Greg 20 minutes ago
Views: 167

Eels on tour to Townsville

The Eels have begun promoting their interstate trips. With no trip to Darwin this year, they are heading to Townsville for their away match against the Cowboys. They have all-inclusive packages available now. Should be in your inbox if you're a…

Read more…
2 Replies · Reply by Muttman yesterday
Views: 472

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