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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Hector Bob Down replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"LB im on your side mate and if you see what i was trying to to get across sorry if you thought otherwise "
16 seconds ago
EA replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"Api and Joash are the same age. I honestly feel Api body has not changed much since SG Ball."
2 minutes ago
EA replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"Yep Coryn and to be whilst Twiddle is someone that would be valuable to Eels. He is a luxary and not a need to me. There are better talents in my eyes that we must retain first."
5 minutes ago
EA replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"People dont see the poor parts in his game because they focus only on the upside."
7 minutes ago
Michael W. replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 8 Team List v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Anzac Round)
"We have to be far better than we were in attack against the Dogs to beat Manly."
7 minutes ago
EA replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"Well recently we have failed to retain the right juniors like Sanders, Talagi, etc. The DB thing etc.
I feel the club made the right decision here. Plus even if we match Perth's offer why would Twiddle stay to be 3rd choice fullback? Everyone saying…"
9 minutes ago
The Badger replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"This is what has most of those who don't like losing juniors the most concerned.
Are we going all in on the wrong players like we have done a lot of in the last 40 years? 
Hopefully, our pathways identification is a whole lot better now."
10 minutes ago
The Badger replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"If we keep the production line at nearly full capacity we can pick and choose as the pathway plan evolves.
Hopefully Apa goes well and gets a decent career going.
If he wasn't really in Ryles mid term plans then he is probably the similar to what…"
14 minutes ago
HH - Love You Iongi Time! replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"I believe Api has a much higher ceiling than Joash, however, Api is still in development mode in regards to his body maturing. Joash is a ready now utility role player and with the incoming expansion teams starting up it will be, and is, always…"
14 minutes ago
EA replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"Nah he is no chance of FG this year. Maybe cup towards the end of the year. But this is only if they let him go back to fullback. He is not a 6 what so ever. I feel he looks more like an individual type player than normal now due to him being an out…"
15 minutes ago
EA replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"I think there is a chance that Davis becomes a better player than Bamblett. I am a little bit of Bamblett due to his recent performances but a large factor is he has been playing 6 rather than 1. I hate him at 6."
17 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"I have no doubt in my mind if JR wanted to keep twidle the mentioned would still be here I have no doubt about that.Whatever junior that has been extended and that goes for any player from inside or outside the club will be rubber stamped by the…"
22 minutes ago
Joel H replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"Should have been on a better/longer deal before debut and that is an RnR failing no matter how many players are in front of him for his preferred position. We could definitely have use him at wing and centre for a year or two. "
29 minutes ago
LB replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"What if, here me out here, Ryles didn't want him? Is that MON's fault? Not denying MON has had blunders but what if Ryles preferred to go elsewhere>"
53 minutes ago
LB replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"I do not have an issue with different opinion but how it will be used as a MON bashing when i could have been a Ryles call is what annoys me.  "
54 minutes ago
Angry Eel replied to Muttman's discussion Apa Twidle signs with the Bears
"Whilst I completely agree with everything you've said here, we also have to put ourselves into positions where we can blood these sort of players and actually see what they're really made of. Sometimes unique players like this just blossom in 1st…"
55 minutes 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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