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.

You need to be a member of 1Eyed Eel to add comments!

Join 1Eyed Eel

Votes: 0
Email me when people reply –

Latest comments

Slippery. replied to Angry Eel's discussion Herbie

 He should be the highest paid centre in the competition.
He is rarely injur✅️
He has ( arguably) his best still to come ✅️
He isn't eligible for state of origin ✅️
He has a clean record regarding suspensions ✅️
 
 Unfortunately, with nothing but…"
35 seconds ago
Steel be with you replied to Steel be with you's discussion The Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm Rivalry
"I would definitely say it's a rivalry but as I point out in the video, if you support Melbourne you've had it all your own way pretty much. The only times Parramatta have really done them over is when we stopped them getting the all-time win streak,…"
7 minutes ago
charlie cauchi replied to Angry Eel's discussion Herbie
"👍"
9 minutes ago
Slippery. replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Lot of luck involved in an nrl season.

 Not only do injuries and suspensions to your own team affect wins and losses throughout the season, but other teams injuries and suspensions and when your team plays them.  Often you will see some teams regularly playing against teams near full…"
20 minutes ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Metcalf Dragons bound.
"IKR Greg"
24 minutes ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Metcalf Dragons bound.
"I know it's a fair question.... but you didn't answer the question did you  Daz. I didn't ask you to define and allude to scapegoating yet again...But that's what I got for my trouble.
I''ll expect no further comments telling me the correct way to…"
24 minutes ago
Angry Eel replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Metcalf Dragons bound.
"Anderson is on a roll at the moment "
26 minutes ago
The Captain replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Metcalf Dragons bound.
"You know what this means...George Orwell for our new GM of Football."
34 minutes ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Metcalf Dragons bound.
"It was an absurd insinuation...I'm glad you picked that up. It was even multi-level absurd (MON a professor LOLOLOL). I was using absurdity to point out that your comments were universally in support of him, just like he would himself...yet you go…"
36 minutes ago
The Captain replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Metcalf Dragons bound.
"Honest question Super: Does Ben report to MON?
In normal orgs, Head Ofs report to GMs. MONs job description lists Recruitment as an accountability. Convention and fact leads the obvious conclusion that Ben Rogers reports to MON. Is this incorrect?
I…"
38 minutes ago
Mitchy replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Metcalf Dragons bound.
"Ha, centre right? Daz would not agree there....and tbh not a Corona fan. If you need to add lime to a beer then what does that say???"
43 minutes ago
Mitchy replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Metcalf Dragons bound.
"All I am saying is Pop's that with someone smart / astute running the show things could / may have been better.
Parra appear to be behind the 8 ball at times..."
44 minutes ago
Nightmare Off-Season replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Metcalf Dragons bound.
"Exactly, Cap.
There are so many variables, and as you said, what position a team is in need of dictates their 'worth'.
As fans, we have no idea how much value any one player can bring to a club, to professionalism, leadership, training standards,…"
48 minutes ago
Michael W. replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Lot of luck involved in an nrl season.
"Ciraldo is overrated. People naturally assume because he has Gould behind him, he is a great coach, BULLSHIT. With the roster the dogs have, any half decent coach would have them playing a better brand of football, or at least competing."
57 minutes ago
The Captain replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Lot of luck involved in an nrl season.
"Neither of those are luck - both changed their spine.
Jamal Fogarty was superb at the Raiders, as soon as he left they've crumbled.
Reed Mahoney and Toby Sexton both moved on from the Bulldogs, and they've plunged down the ranks since.
These are…"
1 hour ago
Fiddy replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Lot of luck involved in an nrl season.
"The draw is also important...we played storm rnd 1 (never lost) and magic round...imagine if we played them when they were in their form slump"
1 hour 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
Views: 2421

 

<script src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- Sidebar -->
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<script>// <![CDATA[
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
// ]]></script>