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Once India’s nightmare, why Australia should think 'the Todd Murphy way' for SCG Test

Soumyajit Dutta

Todd Murphy for Australia [Source: @CodeSports/X]Todd Murphy for Australia [Source: @CodeSports/X]

Todd Murphy, a name not so popular among average cricket fans, gained his second Ashes call-up for the fifth and final Test at Sydney. The 25-year-old, nerdy-faced, skinny figure represents Victoria in first-class cricket and is often hailed as the successor of Nathan Lyon.

True to the form of the Australian spin veteran, Murphy has the skills and the ability to step into becoming Lyon’s successor as a right-arm off-break bowler, who can beat the bat on both edges. This promise was reflected way earlier.

After just seven first-class matches, Todd Murphy gained his maiden international cap against India, where he had a breakout campaign. He terrorised India at their home to enchant with his spin alongside Nathan Lyon, and the time might come again if he makes his way into the Playing XI for the final Ashes Test.

How Todd Murphy was a nightmare against India?

Todd Murphy’s debut match was against India at Nagpur and Todd Murphy bagged 7 wickets in India’s innings on a turner track. His figures read 7/124 at an economy rate of 2.63. Amongst his seven hunts, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Virat Kohli all fell prey.

Murphy finished the series with 14 wickets to his name and made good use of tracks which were not always favouring spin. He was one of the highest wicket-takers amongst spinners in that series and hence gained a spot immediately in the 2023 Ashes.

Murphy’s previous encounter with England

Todd Murphy is no newbie against England. He faced the England heat earlier in the 2023 Ashes tour, where he gave the hosts a decent punch to the gut with his 4-wicket haul at The Oval. He got only two matches in that series and shone in the absence of Nathan Lyon.

While Mitchell Starc was the top-wicket taker with 23 wickets, Todd Murphy bagged 7 from his two appearances in the fiercest rivalry.

How Todd Murphy can be lethal in the Sydney Test?

The Sydney Cricket Ground has been reported in to be helpful to spinners, as it has been usually, over the years. It was a spinner’s paradise before 2010-11. However, in recent times, the cost of spinners to get wickets reads too much on the scale.

Approximately, spinners' wickets are expensive, with an average of around 49 runs per wicket in the past five years compared to roughly 28 for pacers.

Yet, the venue still remains conducive to spin and accounts for a greater tally in favour of spinners. Hence, Todd Murphy, who is a fair user of helpful pitches, can turn the game around if he finds the weak spot against England batters.

Batters Murphy can target with his spin

  • Ben Stokes has been dismissed 13 times by Ashwin (the most of any batter) and 10 times by Nathan Lyon, totalling 23 dismissals from these two alone. Since 2024, Stokes averages just 20.5 against spin overall. Hence, exploiting the sitting duck won’t be an issue for Murphy if he hits the right spots of Stokes’ passive play with the bat against spinners.
  • In The Ashes, Ben Duckett faced Nathan Lyon once and was dismissed after facing three deliveries. His average since 2024 against off-break spinners is also not impressive, as it stands at only 26.4.
  • Joe Root might struggle against quality spin in the Sydney Test. Though he boasts an excellent average and low dismissal rate against off spinners, his recent scores of 0, 15 and 19 might dent his confidence in front of Murphy’s relentless attack.

Conclusion: Murphy could be the Lyon solution!

As Cricket Australia moves towards rebuilding the ageing squad, if Todd Murphy is given a chance in the final Ashes Test and he performs, he might be the solution to Nathan Lyon’s void in Australia.

The veteran pacer is near the end of his career at 38 years of age, and Murphy, who was already crowned as the successor of Lyon after the India series, could get the golden eggs for himself.