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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EA replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"I do want MON sacked but holy if we lose Tuivita, Lorenzo, Fletcher, Petrus, Popo, Koina, Polley, Bell, Seuseu, Sorovi, Bloomfield, Talagi then I am going to flip."
3 minutes ago
EA replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"I can see Twiddle being a 6 but definitely not a 7. I can see him being a good FG but again, how do you expect us to convince him to stay?"
6 minutes ago
LB replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"Question, why has it taken til now, where he is 22 and scored a double on debut for clubs to want him? I know clubs would have spruked interest beforehand but he is going to Perth who have struggled forming a squad.
Like I reckon he is a talent and…"
8 minutes ago
EA replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
""Stay at the Eels on less money to be our 3rd back up fullback. Why would you join a club offering you more money where your path to FG is more open?"
Pretty convincing sell?"
10 minutes ago
LB replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"So you would have paid Russell $650k?"
20 minutes ago
Richard Jackson replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"So Parra have decided Apa Twidle doesn't show enough promise to be retained.
Most of the members here either agree with that assessment or are willing to go along;
I do not agree.
Most see him as a fullback only, as third in line for the position…"
27 minutes ago
Yehez replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"I think Apa will be a very good first grader. 
How would you have pitched it to him to stay Mutt? Genuinely, how would you sell Apa on staying if you were Football Manager?"
30 minutes ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"Agree, I've already said my piece in a earlier blog, this kid showed his class already, we are all hoping these other 'super talents' that haven't played first grade as yet do similar. "
45 minutes ago
Yehez replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"We can't keep everyone. Even if they blow up, we can't keep everyone. 
We got Iongi and Hopgood from Penrith. Penrith at their pinnacle. They still let guys of that quality go. 
We have plenty of outside backs and halves coming through. Even Papalii…"
48 minutes ago
Yehez replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"Why are you being sensible though when you can ragebait EA?
I agree btw. This is alright and good for all parties. We have heaps of interesting backs coming through (Davis, Bamblett, Seuseu, Bloomfield, Martin) that can all play fullback. Pretty…"
57 minutes ago
Parra fan on The Hill replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"What can I say but good luck to the kid. I loved his 20 minute cameo in a game that it was raining fire and brimstone.
I think he could have done a job for us on the wing or centre since Rusty is leaving."
1 hour ago
LB replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"Well how do we know MON was the main reason for him going? If Ryles really wanted to keep Twidle he would have said to MON to keep him. Therefore a proper deal could have been done earlier.
You said MON should go, what if Ryles was the one who…"
1 hour ago
HH - Love You Iongi Time! replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"I trust your judgement EA.
I just meant that body maturity of Joash is from 2 to 3 solid years of Cup fixtures getting belted around where Apa lacks that amount of exposure thus far."
2 hours ago
EA replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"Lots of Renzo miss tackles is similar to Volkman last week. He rushed out the line and makes strong contact to slow the attacker down whilst his teammates then come to make the tackle."
2 hours ago
EA replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"Imagine how Panthers have been feeling for the past 5 years lol"
2 hours ago
TolEllts replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"Thanks LB, HOWEVER, Unless there is an inside info about that, we will be speculating. What just irks me is that we have developed Twidle, spent time and effort to at least his current performance level and some other team will just benefit from it.…"
2 hours ago
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