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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Angry Eel replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"The only caveat to that is if he wants to stay in Sydney with a young family. For me we desperately need to sign Burton or Farnworth and I just don't care if we pay "overs". "
5 minutes ago
Angry Eel replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"We are all speculating here but I definitely see it as being feasible. My speculation Burton won't stay at Buldogs or go back to Penrith to play centre because they probably wouldn't offer the coin we could. We would be offering 6/centre on very…"
16 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"Quite simple really there having the same issues as the Dolphins,remember when they were associated and struggled to find players same same with Perth and now the nrl is stepping in because they can now see what advantages tax free salary and TPAs…"
19 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"JR has already declined on the Xerri interest he did that a few months ago when the unrest at the Dogs first came about."
23 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"Actually my thinking here is because this season is farked we start by finding out what juniors are what and actually have a plan for getting new players.If it's a choice between Farnworth and Burton I'm taking the first mentioned because we are so…"
28 minutes ago
Hector Bob Down replied to Adam Hayne's discussion Will Penisini Gone
""
30 minutes ago
LB replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"Well Lorenzo doesn't take off if the plan is to try and move Burton to Centre. So Lorenzo is there already then you lose Burton as a quality player.
If Ryles goes Burton, that is his future 6 I reckon. Remember, Ryles went for Galvin with Lorenzo at…"
41 minutes ago
Hector Bob Down replied to Adam Hayne's discussion Will Penisini Gone
"Ditto"
50 minutes ago
Longfin Eel replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"Not if Lorenzo takes off. It gives him time to fill into the position, but takes the pressure off him in the process. "
54 minutes ago
Adam Magrath replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"Coryn last week you were making similar offers to land Farnworth. So to your thinking we'd have Moses, Burton and Farnworth chewing up more than one third of our entire salary cap. There's another 27 other players to squeeze into 8 mill, that's not…"
1 hour ago
LB replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"Yeah and why did he get big coin? Cause he was playing 5/8.
Sorry AE I just do not see how people think he would be ok with playing Centre. You say he left for big coin, but how did he get it? Because of the position he was set to play. 5/8's earn…"
1 hour ago
christeel replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"welcome  anyone  , as long  as  they  can improve  especially  under  our coach and his  staff  . just saying. "
1 hour ago
LB replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"I know that Coryn, it's same as people saying he would be happy with Centre when he can get 5/8 money.
Im saying same as you.
Although, Perth has this money, yet signed nobody. Why?"
1 hour ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"You guys are optimistic man I'm telling you Burton is getting over 7 fighures if he is released and it's multi year and the above plus.Perth would be the team for me there about to get dispensation from the nrl and they'll be able to blow away…"
4 hours ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"With new teams in place ready to strike Burton goes to Perth I think Parra have shown there hand and while they may go to 7 figures I think a team like Perth go deeper and are getting dispensation from the nrl also.It's going to be a tough sell for…"
4 hours ago
Darren Munro replied to Roy tannous's discussion Is this the bench moving foward
"I think Jr starts tds and edwards 14."
9 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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