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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Hell On Eels replied to Blue Eel's discussion Let's Ask !!
"Bluey, Not yet. I’m not tossing out the Ryles era in the foetal position, just because we missed out on some sexy big-bucked names. I’m going to watch how the team performs over time.
Be careful with the romanticised retellings of the Fitzy era as…"
7 minutes ago
Frank The Tank replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Does anyone know what Jack Williams contract is worth ?
"Whatever he's on, it probably will not be enough to keep the competition away. We need to move quickly to lock him up longer term or we will end having to overpay to keep or have him signed from under our noses."
23 minutes ago
Frank The Tank replied to Blue Eel's discussion Injury-plagued winger among four players retained by Parramatta Eels
"Yep I said this before also 
It is almost like they try to quell discontent with news that they think is positive. Nothing positive about extending, re-signing or upgrading talent - it should just happen with zero fanfare unless it's like Iongi or…"
31 minutes ago
Perpetual Motion replied to Blue Eel's discussion Injury-plagued winger among four players retained by Parramatta Eels
"Just non top 30 contracts. You have to field a reserve grade team.  "
35 minutes ago
Clintorian replied to Blue Eel's discussion Injury-plagued winger among four players retained by Parramatta Eels
"I had to laugh when I seen this as well.
Yeah sure, we might have missed out on another big signing, but don't worry... we signed these 4 kids nobody has ever heard of.
That will stem the flow for sure... 🤡"
44 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Does anyone know what Jack Williams contract is worth ?
"The problem is the moves the club is making or plan they have going foward is it good enough with what the rest of the nrl are doing.I'd say not at first glance.
Adversity we'll when I see a lot of the same issues and we continue doing the samething…"
50 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion St. George Illawarra Dragons secure Keaon Koloamatangi on long-term deal
"Who knows it's a possibility I guess but the next couple of seasons in my view are all about positioning so they can put there best foot foward.
Theres a fair bit of work to do behind the scenes I've been told so my expectations aren't high for the…"
1 hour ago
LB replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion St. George Illawarra Dragons secure Keaon Koloamatangi on long-term deal
"TCT do say he works with spine from time to time as well. But Brown was adamant a few years ago he did not want to coach again, more so work with younger coaches, helping them and juniors. Seems he is doing exactly that at Parramatta?
Would it be a…"
1 hour ago
LB replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion St. George Illawarra Dragons secure Keaon Koloamatangi on long-term deal
"Seems you don't have faith yet say we should sign Tino?"
1 hour ago
LB replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion St. George Illawarra Dragons secure Keaon Koloamatangi on long-term deal
"I actually would not mind seeing Kelly stay at GC. That is what it will be, GC keep him for 2026. "
1 hour ago
Darren Munro replied to Aj's discussion Keaon done deal
"Aj has left the building! Embrassed no doubt!
 
🤣🤣🤣🧑‍🎄🤶🎅"
1 hour ago
Darren Munro replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Does anyone know what Jack Williams contract is worth ?
"Jack got our best player last year and rightly so!! "
1 hour ago
Jack replied to Blue Eel's discussion Injury-plagued winger among four players retained by Parramatta Eels
"This club is dead set hopeless with its Recuitment. They think they're the roosters or Melbourne at times. Sometimes we have to over pay or go that extra year "
1 hour ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Blue Eel's discussion Injury-plagued winger among four players retained by Parramatta Eels
"You got to hope for the best that some of these youngsters come good.AMS seemingly had a future a few years back and made his debut in FG you'd like to think he's used up all his bad luck injury juju and he pushes again for FG.
This is where we are…"
1 hour ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Does anyone know what Jack Williams contract is worth ?
"Coryn has been telling chief for years about the issues a lot are mentioning it's just chief is that blind it had to be 2's in front of his face to finally realise it."
2 hours ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Does anyone know what Jack Williams contract is worth ?
"I'm worried because there some of the best players that have come through our pathways the last decade and we allowed them to walk.
There both international players and what exactly are you replacing them with.Joash part time Pezet and then…"
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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13 Replies · Reply by Darren Munro 1 hour ago
Views: 1642

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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Let's Ask !!

I find myself sitting around watching the cricket after the Christmas Festivities, and I'm stewing on the perception that we are missing out on real talent that our coach wants, and missing out with way too much regularity and consistency. The…

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43 Replies · Reply by Hell On Eels 7 minutes ago
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