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

Nightmare Off-Season replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R3: Danger Game as Desperate Dragons Hunt First Win TEAM UPDATES IN
"Agree Mutt & Pops.
JR did say Jonah would have to fight for the 6, and he's show with JDB he's not afraid to drop players.
 "
51 seconds ago
Muttman replied to EA's discussion How do we shape our forward pack for the rest for 2026
"It's a tough one. Right now I'd have taken Matt Lodge. "
3 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R3: Danger Game as Desperate Dragons Hunt First Win TEAM UPDATES IN
"In attack all I want to see from him and he can do this is play straight and Kautoga & Russell running hard lines that forces defenses to make decisions I don't necessarily need him to be the runner DB was because he's not that guy but again imo…"
3 minutes ago
Old School Eel replied to Eels95's discussion 2 points is 2 points
"And Pezet still refuses to attempt tackling anything that runs at him"
4 minutes ago
Longfin Eel replied to Eels95's discussion 2 points is 2 points
"Agreed, if we are banking wins playing with so much to improve on, imagine what we are capable if we put it all together. "
6 minutes ago
LB replied to EA's discussion How do we shape our forward pack for the rest for 2026
"What a shame, that is 4-6 games he could have played to develop."
7 minutes ago
LB replied to EA's discussion How do we shape our forward pack for the rest for 2026
"I love his quick play the ball and workrate. He uses first contact to get down on elbows and generate quick play the ball. He can pass too. Might be time to see how he goes.
Is Penrith too much of a baptism of fire in the middle though?"
7 minutes ago
Old School Eel replied to EA's discussion Hopgood acl
"Doesn't help that Cup were so poor today, nobody put their hand up."
8 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R3: Danger Game as Desperate Dragons Hunt First Win TEAM UPDATES IN
"I want to give Jonah a few more weeks.I really think we can help him if we get more inside help so he can get off the line quicker that's what I'll be watching the guy who plays inside Jonah and when teams setup that right side attack if we are…"
9 minutes ago
LB replied to EA's discussion Hopgood acl
"Unless given an exemption, with us losing Hopgood i believe it will be granted."
9 minutes ago
Muttman replied to EA's discussion How do we shape our forward pack for the rest for 2026
"Stand off? Showing your age their mate. "
11 minutes ago
LB replied to Eels95's discussion 2 points is 2 points
"Winning poorly is a big part of winning in the NRL. Not all 24 matches will you be perfect. More likely 0 you are perfect. 
But teams who can win ugly can be onto good things. Dragons have been in all 3 matches this season and haven't got it done.…"
12 minutes ago
JC replied to EA's discussion Hopgood acl
"Teacum is on a development deal this season so can't play first grade until mid season some time."
13 minutes ago
JC replied to EA's discussion How do we shape our forward pack for the rest for 2026
"No Williams?"
15 minutes ago
EA replied to EA's discussion How do we shape our forward pack for the rest for 2026
"I said a couple years ago that Guymer best spot will be lock. As I said in the blog, won't know if he is ready for it until we give him the chance. "
16 minutes ago
Adam Magrath replied to EA's discussion How do we shape our forward pack for the rest for 2026
"Ok thanks "
16 minutes 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…
14 Replies · Reply by Poppa Jan 9
Views: 2226

 

Eels V Dragons 3-2-1

What a sea sawing game, with the referee really trying to influence the result. Some desperate digging deep in defence and working under fatigue coupled with some very very bad ball play by the Dragons has let us take the 2 points. So much more…

Read more…
18 Replies · Reply by LB 17 minutes ago
Views: 527

2 points is 2 points

It wasn't perfect and it sure wasn't pretty but these are the games you have to bank early in the season. There's plenty to work on, but that's a good thing when you aren't playing well and still win. The dragons have been tough to start the…

Read more…
3 Replies · Reply by Old School Eel 4 minutes ago
Views: 204

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