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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Longfin Eel replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Parramatta Eels reject Melbourne Storm’s audacious bid to sign Zac Lomax for 2026 season
"I'd be saying give us the Premiership rings from 2009 and stop pretending you won it. Then we might sit down to discuss."
35 seconds ago
Stevo replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Parramatta Eels reject Melbourne Storm’s audacious bid to sign Zac Lomax for 2026 season
"Why doesn't Lomax just come back to parra? Surely there's more to his exit than the R360 story??"
9 minutes ago
GM replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Parramatta Eels reject Melbourne Storm’s audacious bid to sign Zac Lomax for 2026 season
"Then why this headline?"
17 minutes ago
LB replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Parramatta Eels reject Melbourne Storm’s audacious bid to sign Zac Lomax for 2026 season
"I reckon they could play him at Centre as Warbrick and Coates have Wing spots if healthy, Meaney and Howarth. Howarth could be looked at to move to an edge to replace Blore."
21 minutes ago
LB replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Parramatta Eels reject Melbourne Storm’s audacious bid to sign Zac Lomax for 2026 season
"I don't think we go for a back, Ryles was content with moving Lomax on due to his price.
id try for a middle, maybe Loiero. Or get Shawn Blore over for the edge."
23 minutes ago
Clintorian replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Parramatta Eels reject Melbourne Storm’s audacious bid to sign Zac Lomax for 2026 season
"Hope he has a latechange of heart and decides to come back"
26 minutes ago
Parrafan101 replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Parramatta Eels reject Melbourne Storm’s audacious bid to sign Zac Lomax for 2026 season
"Rather get Coates"
26 minutes ago
Parrafan101 replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Parramatta Eels reject Melbourne Storm’s audacious bid to sign Zac Lomax for 2026 season
"Don't know man"
27 minutes ago
Cumberland Eel replied to Roy tannous's discussion Brian Kelly officially signs 💙💛
"You say he's a Nuffle Tart Bem "
30 minutes ago
Cumberland Eel replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Parramatta Eels reject Melbourne Storm’s audacious bid to sign Zac Lomax for 2026 season
"He will be back in Eels colours like I said in my blog. Never say never"
32 minutes ago
Trent replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Parramatta Eels reject Melbourne Storm’s audacious bid to sign Zac Lomax for 2026 season
"Meany has signed with bears so nothing to offer much Jack be good "
35 minutes ago
Parraboy replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Parramatta Eels reject Melbourne Storm’s audacious bid to sign Zac Lomax for 2026 season
"Back to the Eels or stay sitting"
38 minutes ago
Muttman replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Parramatta Eels reject Melbourne Storm’s audacious bid to sign Zac Lomax for 2026 season
"Coates is the only player they have who is like for like. "
39 minutes ago
Eli Stephens replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Parramatta Eels reject Melbourne Storm’s audacious bid to sign Zac Lomax for 2026 season
"Just say Coates and nothing will ever happen lol, set the price so high nothing comes of it 🤣"
41 minutes ago
Zip zip replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Parramatta Eels reject Melbourne Storm’s audacious bid to sign Zac Lomax for 2026 season
"Warbrick has some concussion history issues, Coates would be a great trade haha 
In all seriousness, either Nick Meaney, Jack Howorth or Wishart would be good for the club. "
43 minutes ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Parramatta Eels reject Melbourne Storm’s audacious bid to sign Zac Lomax for 2026 season
"Warbrick is great, but a risk. Took pretty much the entire 2025 season off with concussion issues.  If he's right I'd love to have him"
47 minutes 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 Tin Tim on Wednesday
Views: 1801

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…

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