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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Darren Munro replied to Roy tannous's discussion Is this the bench moving foward
"I think Jr starts tds and edwards 14."
1 hour ago
Angry Eel replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"He left Penrith for the big coin. As for the dogs who's to say they're not pushing him out or he's disillusioned with the direction of the dogs. I'm tipping he wants to stay in Sydney with a young family or I reckon Perth might have got him by now.…"
2 hours ago
Angry Eel replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"I thought Hayward lifted the tempo when he came on and really had the bulldogs punching holes in the middle which gave Burton room to run which is when he's at his best. Less organising more running (Galvin is much the same). Melbourne must be…"
2 hours ago
Gucci replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"He is honestly a great player already would be stoked to sign him"
2 hours ago
LB replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"But then you lose a quality player."
3 hours ago
Parrafan101 replied to Roy tannous's discussion Is this the bench moving foward
"If it was 27 I'd have Paulo, Mataele starting and maybe have Tuivati, Moretti coming off bench or we buy a Spencer could be a game changer. What we really need is a meter eater winger and X factor centre."
3 hours ago
LB replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"It can work, Burton is not like Norman where he tried to take over. Burton is more than happy playing 2nd fiddle and eyes up. But can also do some organising if asked upon him."
3 hours ago
LB replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"If he was comfortable moving to the Centres, he would have stayed at Penrith and even Dogs for 2027."
3 hours ago
LB replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"Don't think he would need to recommend him. Ryles would have know all about him before chasing, if they are chasing. If anything, Ryles asked JAC his opinion of playing alongside Burto."
3 hours ago
LB replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"Dogs would pitch in for next year you would assume. $750k is a decent price for an experienced 5/8 with rep level experience and a premiership winner. 
Though to get him over i reckon you need to go $850k. Which even then i feel is not too bad."
3 hours ago
KENDOZA replied to Adam Hayne's discussion Will Penisini Gone
"Rocco berry would be handy"
3 hours ago
Richard Jackson replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"You're exactly right Angry. Star of the night even though earlier I had stated he had nothing.....except a kicking game!
Haven't seen that quality in him before and may have to re-assess him. Chuckle"
3 hours ago
Aracom replied to Adam Hayne's discussion Will Penisini Gone
"Good riddance. What a waste of an investmentWe did right by him, gave him coaching, gave him good deals,Very happy to be moving on,Penisini has never impressed meHim and his brother have chewed up enough space"
3 hours ago
Parra_Greg replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"now we talking......make it happen MON or have a shot at these three"
3 hours ago
Slippery. replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?

 I misread. Burton is reported to be on $750,000 for this year and next.  Anything around that figure would be ok. "
3 hours ago
Parra_Greg replied to Fiddy's discussion Burton to Eels?
"I hope so we need something...with lomax fucking off we have no elite players in our backline besides Mo and Iongi. and Moses cant goal kick anymore he is rubbish last few years"
4 hours 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
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