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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Coryn Hughes replied to Roy tannous's discussion Anyone else lose faith
"There not talking to him because there not looking to improve the board they just aren't.They are sacred cows the lot of them add in MoN and that's us going foward till it isn't.
If Cameron were to come here whose firing Jim Sarintinos.Matt Beech…"
2 minutes ago
Mallee57 replied to Yeah Man's discussion RELAX
"Tigers won't be an easy game"
4 minutes ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Roy tannous's discussion Anyone else lose faith
"But according to poppa the ship has sailed for Cameron,  so we must stick with O'neill forever amen
 "
5 minutes ago
Mallee57 replied to LB's discussion Cayless to apply for Manly job?
"Who was the best of that list? Probably Stanton?"
8 minutes ago
Poppa replied to Roy tannous's discussion Anyone else lose faith
"LB, its easy to quote examples of success, not so easy to talk about failures. Its a bit like the game itself i.e how to build momentum....if you haven't got any, you look a bit flat footed."
22 minutes ago
LB replied to LB's discussion Cayless to apply for Manly job?
"Fascinating how the only coaches I believe that have gotten Manly to a premiership winare former players
Ron Willey
Frank Stanton
Bob Fulton
Des Hasler
With Toovey the last coach to get them to a GF"
23 minutes ago
EA replied to Roy tannous's discussion Anyone else lose faith
"One very underrated forward I wish we kept is Alex Twal. Very good motor and a defensive machine. "
24 minutes ago
Poppa replied to Roy tannous's discussion Anyone else lose faith
"Good response Cappy, I was looking for some any response that understood the real problem....your 2 speed approach was an identification of the issues.
I have replied hereunder to Chiefy who think's I crave Mark O'Neil's approval. Fair enough but…"
27 minutes ago
Muttman replied to Roy tannous's discussion Anyone else lose faith
"Meanwhile we have Matt Cameron who learn't his craft under Brian Smith at the Eels. The bloke has won 4 Premierships and been in 5 GF's, lives in the area and yet the Eels aren't interested in speaking with him. It just blows my mind. For those…"
36 minutes ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Yeah Man's discussion RELAX
"We're favourites.  Their main player is out 1. 2 mil Jerome.  Their best centre is out.  I just wish the excuse makers in the other sites stop giving the club an excuse to fail.   
We have a ready made fb who is supposedly our 5/8 for 27, and enough…"
48 minutes ago
Poppa replied to Roy tannous's discussion Anyone else lose faith
"Will if I am, I must be doing a bloody good job! Funny I don't feel that I am??
I will not be in the slightest disappointed if MON left tomorrow, the reason you don't see that is effectively a naivette about his role. 
Let's say he does and we…"
50 minutes ago
Eli Stephens replied to Yeah Man's discussion RELAX
"tigers usually a tough game on Easter Monday but I think Mitch will step up and get it done. Titans also should be a win "
54 minutes ago
Muttman replied to LB's discussion Cayless to apply for Manly job?
"lol"
1 hour ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Yeah Man's discussion RELAX
"We need to be 3 and 2, then 4 and 2 next week against the Titans.  We'll be favourites in both games. 
The excuse makers are running rampant on the other sites saying Parramatta are a club in crisis on the injury front - thus giving the team an out…"
1 hour ago
LB replied to LB's discussion Cayless to apply for Manly job?
"Oh Ballin will get it I believe, particularly with ties to Jason King but just found this funny."
1 hour ago
Mallee57 replied to LB's discussion Cayless to apply for Manly job?
"Should have stuck with Toovey at least had investigative experience "
1 hour 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
Views: 2263

 

Cayless to apply for Manly job?

Gal apprently believes Nathan Cayless will apply for Manly job. Lol doubt he gets it but never a harm going for it.Cayless did an alright job in Cup last year and has done ok this year so far.What is funny is this comment on facebook that will…

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8 Replies · Reply by Mallee57 8 minutes ago
Views: 221

RELAX

Reading people comments here and other forums the verwhelming majoirty of people feelings are quiet negative and very pessimistic. Being 2-2 with having played 3 best teams in the comp including beating defedning permiers at home . We are just in…

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8 Replies · Reply by Mallee57 4 minutes ago
Views: 434

Anyone else lose faith

I'm not talking about eels I'm talking about our stupid recruitiment and retention team.Like how can a group be so fcken stupid,surely we can petition to get em out of the club cause they fcken suck.Like you look at all the other clubs signing guns…

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44 Replies · Reply by Coryn Hughes 2 minutes ago
Views: 689

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