Todd Murphy etches name in history books; scalps 5-wickets on Test debut

image-ldy7puunMurphy grabbed a fifer [Associated Press]

Eyebrows were raised when Todd Murphy was selected in the Australian squad for the India series. But the wily spinner proved his doubters wrong and picked up a fifer on his Test debut in Nagpur on Friday.

With a spinning track on offer, Australia trusted the debutant and was given the responsibility to lead the spin attack alongside Nathan Lyon.

In reply to Australia's 177, Indian openers laid a strong foundation with a 76-run stand, but Murphy turned out to be a game-changer and dismissed KL Rahul for a scratchy 20 towards the end of Day 1.

Rohit steadied the Indian ship alongside R Ashwin, who was promoted at number 3. But guess who broke the partnership? Todd Murphy. Stump-to-stump line and Ashwin was trapped lbw.

The Nagpur surface played all sorts of tricks and Murphy utilised it to perfection. He persisted with the around the wicket angle and was rewarded with the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara. Down the leg side line and Pujara miscued the sweep straight to the short leg fielder.

Then, he got the big fish. Another poor delivery down the leg side, but Kohli nicked it into the hands of keeper Alex Carey.

KS Bharat's short stay came to an end when the keeper-batter failed to read the line and length and copped the delivery on the front leg.

At the time of writing, India are 241 for 7, with a lead of 64.