In Short
- Todd Murphy impressed on his debut tour of India
- The 22-year-old is part of Australia squad for WTC final and Ashes
- Murphy said he closely watched R Ashwin’s bowling during the BGT in India
By India Today Sports DeskYoung Australian off-spinner Todd Murphy said he is working on adding to his arsenal by trying to bowl a carom ball that gives the off-spinner to take the ball away from the right-handed batters. Murphy, 22, had the opportunity to watch master craftsman R Ashwin closely during his stint in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India earlier this year.
Todd Murphy earned the praise of the cricket world in his debut series, picking up 14 wickets in 4 Tests against India. He picked up a 5-wicket haul on his Test debut and continued to thrive under pressure even as Australia lost the Test series 2-1.
Murphy emerged as one of the exciting spin prospects for Australia even as Nathan Lyon continues to be the No. 1 spinner for the Pat Cummins-led side.
The 22-year-old off-spinner was named in the Australia squad for the World Test Championship final and the Ashes and he is making sure he is training hard and trying to add variations to his bowling.
“I am still working on that but I am still a long way off being able to do it the way Ravi Ashwin can,” Murphy said, as quoted by AAP, adding that he was fortunate to watch Ashwin’s bowling closely during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“It is simple in a way, and yet so difficult. It is just about being confident that you can execute it. I’d love to be able to add that myself one day.
“If you have a delivery that goes the other way it just poses different challenges for the batsmen. You are always looking at ways to tinker and add things to your kitbag but in Test cricket, you have to make sure your fundamentals are really good and your stock ball is in as good a position as you can,” he added.
‘I HOPE I DON’T HAVE TO PLAY A GAME’
Todd Murphy showcased incredible control and mental ability when he got the opportunity in India.
However, Murphy knows that he might not get a big role to play when the Ashes gets underway in England from June 16. Murphy is unlikely to be part of the starting XI for the World Test Championship final against India in London from June 7 as the conditions are expected to suit pace.
Murphy said he is mentally prepared for not getting an opportunity in the England tour but that will not stop him from working hard and being ready for opportunities.
“In a way, I hope I don’t have to play a game on this tour because that means he (Lyon) is staying fit and on the park and our quicks are standing up as well,” Murphy said.
“It is a squad mentality. Hopefully, I can add value to the squad, train hard and keep developing my skillset. If there is an opportunity that arises I have to make sure I am in a really good position to take it.
“I’ve got to be ready at all times. A lot of things can change and they can change fast.”
Australia Squad
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, David Warner
Kole Prosacco
Trace Hane
Easter Moore