Melbourne: Australia has announced a spinner-laden squad for the upcoming four-Test series against the Indian team starting on February 9, in which Victoria’s rising star Todd Murphy has been selected. Todd Murphy has been included as a spin partner along with the trio of Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swapson and Nathan Lyon. Mitchell Starc will miss the first Test due to his finger injury.
Todd Murphy, who was included in the Australian team aiming to win the first Test series in India since 2004, played just one first-class match before 2022. However, Todd Murphy has been included in the Test squad after impressive performances for Victoria, Australia-A and the Prime Minister’s XI in the last 12 months. Todd Murphy is seen as a potential long-term successor to Nathan Lyon.
Mitchell Swapson took 10 wickets for 45 runs in four of Australia’s five Tests in the Indian subcontinent last year. When the national selectors announced the 18-man Australian squad for the four-Test Border-Gavaskar series on 11 January 2023, Swappson was prioritized over Adam Zampa. Victoria captain Peter Handscomb is also set to return to Test cricket for the first time since January 2019. Matthew Renshaw has been included in the squad as one of the reserve batsmen.
Australia Test Team to tour India
Pat Cummins (Captain), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (Vice Captain ), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swapson, David Warner.
Todd Murphy was a fast bowler till the age of 16 then became a spinner
Todd Murphy, who was included in the Australian squad for the tour of India, started his career as a fast bowler, but during a training session his fast bowling was rejected by Craig Howard and advised to become a spinner. Todd Murphy was 16 at the time. Following Howard’s advice, Murphy became a spinner and today the results are there for all to see.