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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Parra fan on The Hill replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Fox broken thumb. Per nrl physio
"Start Samrani either centre or wing. He smashed the sharks and the chooks. Was fast, tackle-busting and once he set his eyes on the try line it was curtains for the opposition.
I'd start him on the wing as not to disrupt Rusty and the combos set up…"
1 hour ago
Mallee57 replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Fox broken thumb. Per nrl physio
"Who replaces him? "
1 hour ago
ParraPride replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Fox broken thumb. Per nrl physio
"Will we ever get a full season out of him?? "
2 hours ago
EA replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Fox broken thumb. Per nrl physio
"I am starting to think the same. Samrani and Papalii as 18th and 19th man with Tuilagi starting the year in NSW Cup."
2 hours ago
fake midget pseudoachondroplasia replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: A Very Special Young Man Who Just Happens to Be a Parramatta Player
"I don't understand why we went for such a long contract with TDS unless Ryles really wanted a 2 hooker rotation.  With the 6 again and speed of the game I think a quick running dummy half is needed and that probably wasn't Ryley strongest area.  At…"
3 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Fox broken thumb. Per nrl physio
"Hang on.. . just saturday I gave you a Unicorn gif for saying we'd beat them both easy "
4 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Fox broken thumb. Per nrl physio
"Yep. He can by 4th round hopefully"
4 hours ago
Eli Stephens replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Fox broken thumb. Per nrl physio
"Storm smashed with injuries as well, broncos week 2 we would have lost anyway. Just glad he's back rd 3/4 lol "
4 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Fox broken thumb. Per nrl physio
"The Kelly signing is looking more like a master-stroke now with very little notice.  - well done to Ryles, and Mark O’Neill.  "
4 hours ago
BEM replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Fox broken thumb. Per nrl physio
"As our backline isn't top class to begin with, losing Fox is disastrous.
At least if it was a forward we have plenty of semi quality backups."
4 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Fox broken thumb. Per nrl physio
"He will do A job, not THE job. We have a problem"
4 hours ago
ParraEels replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Fox broken thumb. Per nrl physio
"Probably a stupid question but can't he strap it down and play?"
4 hours ago
Eli Stephens replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Fox broken thumb. Per nrl physio
"Have to fully expect injuries all season, our depth will be key and it's next man up. Kelly in for ado Carr will do a job "
4 hours ago
Blue Eel replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Fox broken thumb. Per nrl physio
"A few months back we had two Australian rep worthy wingers. Today zip. Some big shoes to fill.
I'm concerned about Simonsson on one side, has a few mistakes in him. Samrani is busting a gut to get into the team, another youngster that will need…"
4 hours ago
Steel be with you replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Fox broken thumb. Per nrl physio
"Fuck sakes, it's always two steps forward and three steps back."
4 hours ago
Clintorian replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: A Very Special Young Man Who Just Happens to Be a Parramatta Player
"I have been a massive fan of this kid since seeing him in the trials last year where he quickly became one of our most valuable players. Make no mistake, Smith is the best hooker prospect we've had in decades and is already leaps and bounds ahead of…"
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.

Read more…
14 Replies · Reply by Poppa Jan 9
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