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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LB replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Eels ask for Sua 2026
"Christ mate you yourself are losing the plot. What i mean by agenda is you are using examples as reasons for knocking MON but you are inconsistent. Russell is the prime example. First saying these idiots let Russell walk. Now you say Russell is Ron…"
2 minutes ago
LB replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Eels ask for Sua 2026
"Sorry mate you are kidding yourself if you think Iongi would be happy playing Wing. If that came across that way i apologise.
Players sign contracts having an idea of where they will be playing. Iongi signing for as long as he has and for the money…"
15 minutes ago
Angry Eel replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Eels ask for Sua 2026
"FYI I'm lead to believe the $650k number for Russell is a little misguided. Was closer to 400k"
17 minutes ago
Adam Magrath replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Eels ask for Sua 2026
"Have a look at your name on here chief and the regularity with which you mention mark oneill might clear up the agenda issue "
26 minutes ago
LB replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Eels ask for Sua 2026
"You said well ran clubs do not lose marquee players, i just said Penrith do. Proving you have an agenda and do not read your own posts."
28 minutes ago
Angry Eel replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Eels ask for Sua 2026
"Bro, you can disagree without being an arrogant knob about it. And no I'm not kidding myself. 1stly he signed long term to play footy at Parra. Last time I checked players and their contract do not determine what number goes on their back. Secondly…"
31 minutes ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓 replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Eels ask for Sua 2026
"So anyone that says o'neill and Sarantinos aren't doing a good job has an agenda???
 
Maybe you think anyone that is against the current leadership wants Spagnolo back.  Is that your thought LB. ?"
56 minutes ago
Graham polkinghorne replied to kev's discussion It's time for a new halfback
"Moses and 16 other players need to lift there game."
59 minutes ago
Yeah Man replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Eels ask for Sua 2026
"Sua has 2 more games in suspension so should wait until then"
1 hour ago
Yeah Man replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Eels ask for Sua 2026
"well we have buckleys in getting him"
1 hour ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓 replied to Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst's discussion Eels ask for Sua 2026
"Mate you've lost it.  The panthers earned their right to lose players by being the most successful club in the modern era,  whilst we are a shadow of their success.  
So what's your plan?。rely on our development players that we keep on losing to…"
1 hour ago
parra supporter replied to Alfred Mateo's discussion Saifiti medical retirement. Matterson-nothing to see here
"He was pushing for an extra year contract with Melbourne so I suspect he thinks he could play another year. No club will want him, however "
1 hour ago
Poppa replied to Coryn Hughes's discussion R and R restore some faith.
"Nightmare Off-Season 
Hey Mate! and Coryn
Can't argue with your logic Nos, and I am always with you on your quest for atheletism Coryn.
Bostock is //could be a real choice. I am not convinced we could get Herbie even at 1.2m but I think that Bostock…"
1 hour ago
LB replied to Alfred Mateo's discussion Saifiti medical retirement. Matterson-nothing to see here
"Him being used for Melbourne trade for Lomax I reckon went down like a led balloon."
1 hour ago
Axel replied to Alfred Mateo's discussion Saifiti medical retirement. Matterson-nothing to see here
"I wonder what the relationhsip is right now between him and the club. Is he persona non grata or is he mixing freely amongst the players and coaches? He's not even listed on the latest injury list."
2 hours ago
LB replied to Coryn Hughes's discussion Whose this battler.
"He is a member of talking Parra. Was apart of SGA before just leaving."
2 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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