Uncapped spinner Todd Murphy has bolted into Australia’s Test squad for the tour of India, as selectors confirmed an 18-player squad for the four-Test Border-Gavaskar sequence.
He joins Ashton Agar and Mitchell Swepson as choices to associate frontline spinner Nathan Lyon on a tour that’s anticipated to function low, sluggish, turning wickets.
Swepson has been retained after struggling on Australia’s tour of Pakistan final yr, saved in favour of what can be a shock name up for white-ball specialist Adam Zampa.
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Victorian Shield captain Peter Handscomb has additionally joined the touring occasion alongside Matthew Renshaw, regardless of retiring harm after a success to the hip taking part in for St Kilda in a grade fixture on Tuesday evening.
Murphy had solely performed one first-class fixture previous to 2022, however has rocketed into competition after robust performances for Victoria, Australia A and the Prime Minister’s XI.
At 22, he’s considered as a possible long-term successor to the ageing Nathan Lyon, who to this point has not discovered a sustainable second spinner to associate him.
Murphy at the moment has 14 wickets to his title at a mean of 17.71 over simply three Sheffield Shield matches, and bowled Victoria to a final-day win over New South Wales within the final match earlier than the Big Bash.
“Todd has emerged as a strong spin option, having impressed in domestic cricket and recently with Australia A”, mentioned chief selector George Bailey.
“Selection in this squad also provides another opportunity to spend time alongside Nathan Lyon and assistant coach Daniel Vettori in India which will be invaluable to his development.”
Opener Marcus Harris, launched from the Test squad after the recall of Matthew Renshaw for the New Year’s Test, has been omitted, whereas uncapped WA fast Lance Morris retains his place within the squad.
The tour is shaping as a possible debut alternative for Morris, with Mitchell Starc confirmed to not be becoming a member of the squad till after the primary Test in Nagpur with an injured finger.
Allrounder Cameron Green can also be racing the clock to be match with a fractured finger sustained within the Boxing Day Test towards South Africa.
As foreshadowed by captain Pat Cummins in Sydney, left arm spinner Ashton Agar has been included regardless of going wicketless within the remaining Test towards South Africa.
Queensland bowler Michael Neser has additionally been snubbed in favour of Victorian Scott Boland, whereas West Australian wicket-keeper Josh Inglis misses out as effectively.
In the occasion of harm to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, Peter Handscomb will doubtless take the gloves.
Australia and India will play 4 Tests in lower than two months in Nagpur, Delhi, Dharamsala and Ahmedabad, with Australia having not received in India since their well-known 2004 sequence victory underneath Steve Waugh.
