Young Victorian offspinner Todd Murphy is in critical competition to be handed a dream Test debut in Australia’s Border-Gavaskar opener in India.
Despite taking part in simply seven first-class video games, the 22-year-old may very well be introduced in to companion star veteran Nathan Lyon in Nagpur.
It is known Murphy’s father Jamie is making his means over to India.
Pat Cummins typically confirms his XI the day earlier than a match however the Australia captain will wait till the toss on Thursday.
It could be a break with custom if Murphy is picked, with the final time Australia performed two front-line offspinners being in 1988 when Peter Taylor and Tim May teamed up for a Test in Pakistan.
But Cummins has dominated out allrounder Cameron Green, who continues to be recovering from a damaged finger suffered whereas batting within the Boxing Day Test.
“I think he’d be as prepared as he could be,” Cummins stated of Murphy on Wednesday.
“He’s been bowling beautifully in the nets over here.
“He’s began very well for Victoria in first-class cricket.
“If he got the nod, he’s got Nathan Lyon down the other end that he can work with.
“He’s prepared – everybody within the squad right here has had actually good preparation and whoever we decide is 100 per cent able to go.”
Cummins left the door ajar to play three spinners, but conceded it was unlikely due to Green not being there to bowl his seamers.
“We’ve carried out it earlier than, it is in fact a risk,” he stated.
“In excessive circumstances, you typically have to vary the line-up.”
Murphy has taken 29 wickets at an average of 25.20 since debuting for Victoria in April 2021.
If Murphy plays, bowling allrounder Ashton Agar will likely be left out after featuring in Australia’s New Year’s Test against South Africa at the SCG.
Agar, who has a first-class bowling average of 42.21, and Queensland leggie Mitchell Swepson are the other spinners in Australia’s 18-man squad.
It will be a battle between Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb to decide who bats at No.6.
However, Handscomb is firming to be chosen so Australia can avoid a left-hand heavy batting line-up with David Warner, Usman Khwaja and Travis Head already in the top five.
Renshaw made his first Test appearance in more than four years last month, but selectors could go for Handscomb to combat India’s trio of spinners – Ravi Jadeja, Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin – on a likely raging turner.
“I believe it’s a issue over right here,” Cummins said of choosing between left and right-hand batters.
“With a lot site visitors from the right-handers bowling, at occasions there is a little more on the market for the left-handers.
“The Indian line-up is going to be packed full of right-handers so I think it plays a small factor.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
