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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Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to Muttman's discussion Sneaky ploy which makes Panthers defense so good.
"That's why the six again rule sucks!!!"
2 hours ago
Clintorian replied to Eels2025's discussion Where do we see the EELS finishing?
"Rationale

We haven't lost our first 3/7 games like last year.
All our rookies have 1 solid year of experience, and a full preseason in their positions
We still have Mitch
Our bench is now a strength, not a weakness.
We don't have the media scrutiny…"
4 hours ago
Clintorian replied to Eels2025's discussion Where do we see the EELS finishing?
"With a little lucky we climb higher than last year, I'm guessing 8-9th. We've started much better than last year, so why shouldn't we be giving the 8 a nudge?"
4 hours ago
playthedoors replied to Eels2025's discussion Where do we see the EELS finishing?
"We are not a top 4 team. PVL ball 2.0 throws so many uncertainties. I can see us finishing anywhere between 5th and last. "
5 hours ago
LB replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 4 Team List v Penrith Panthers
"I advocated for Da Silva to play some minutes in Cup. But at the moment, he needs to stay in NRL and continue to develop with the better and stronger league."
5 hours ago
LB replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 4 Team List v Penrith Panthers
"The only way Ryles would do it is going for 4 forwards. He only using Joash over Da Silva is due to injury in the backs or halves. If Ryles brought Joash in as a 14 and give Smith some time off then yeah not great for Da Silva."
5 hours ago
LB replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 4 Team List v Penrith Panthers
"Regardless, if Smith is coming off and you have Da Silva, you play Da Silva."
5 hours ago
EA replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: We made a mistake, lets admit it, move forward; and it looks like we are overrated!
"Yea I rate Fletcher. I just think he is a year behind Lorenzo in development which is fair since he is one year younger."
5 hours ago
Mallee57 replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: We made a mistake, lets admit it, move forward; and it looks like we are overrated!
"Sure is and there's no fuel shortage either "
5 hours ago
Mallee57 replied to Eels2025's discussion Where do we see the EELS finishing?
"Earlier prior to season starting and thinking that Lomax was still an Eel and the way they finished last year and the upbeat about Pezet signing I was thinking a definite top 8 maybe top 6 but now that Lomax has gone Pezet not being below average,…"
5 hours ago
Muttman replied to Eels2025's discussion Where do we see the EELS finishing?
"I've got serious concerns with our middles. (And with Pezet). Unless we fix those glaring issues I can't see us making the 8. "
6 hours ago
Nightmare Off-Season replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: We made a mistake, lets admit it, move forward; and it looks like we are overrated!
"Thanks EA, sounds promising. Do you rate Fletcher highly? Or too early to say?"
6 hours ago
Nightmare Off-Season replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: We made a mistake, lets admit it, move forward; and it looks like we are overrated!
"All good points, LB.
With a few astute signings, 2028 could still be a contending year. "
6 hours ago
EA replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: We made a mistake, lets admit it, move forward; and it looks like we are overrated!
"Very early crow here but I can see Petrus, Koina and Popo playing NSW cup next year with a chance of an NRL debut too. All three should hopefully get a taste of NSW Cup this year."
6 hours ago
EA replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: We made a mistake, lets admit it, move forward; and it looks like we are overrated!
"I recon Fletcher will play Flegg and maybe a game or two in cup this year. In 2027 I recon he will be the nsw cup halfback so back up halfback to Moses. Essentially following the same development as Sanders.
I can see Lorenzo making his NRL debut at…"
6 hours ago
LB replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: We made a mistake, lets admit it, move forward; and it looks like we are overrated!
"To add to the 2028 talk. Players like Tuivaiti, Iongi, Kautoga, Samrani, Da Silva, Smith etc. If they are still at the club are well past 50 games bracket that is considered the point where the game slows down and you are FG hardened. Talataina…"
6 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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