The looming selection of Todd Murphy in the fifth Ashes Test will likely see Jhye Richardson dropped, and create a unique moment not seen in Australia for 15 years. Murphy was in the Aussie squad for the fourth Test at the MCG, but missed selection due to the pitch favouring the seamers.
Australia went with a four-pronged pace attack in Melbourne, and it proved the correct call as the pitch did plenty for the quicks. But coach Andrew McDonald heavily hinted on Monday that Murphy will play at the SCG.
Todd Murphy (second from right) played in the 2023 Ashes series in England, but has never played a Test in Australia. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Richardson played his first Test in four years in Melbourne, but the West Australian will likely miss out due to concerns over his workload. The 29-year-old has battled injuries over the last few years, and the Aussies were happy to carry him at the MCG as the fourth seamer.
But with a spinner looming as a must in Sydney, McDonald admitted there’s concerns about Richardson taking on a heavier load as the third seamer. Murphy has played seven Tests so far in his career, but none in Australia.
Todd Murphy would be the first sole spinner not named Nathan Lyon to play a Test in Australia in 15 years. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
With Nathan Lyon tearing his hamstring and missing an extended period, Murphy’s selection would create a moment not seen on Australia soil in 15 years. The last time a specialist spinner played a Test in Australia in a match that Lyon wasn’t also playing was Michael Beer back in the 2010/11 Ashes series.
Steve O’Keefe played two Tests at the SCG in 2016 and 2017, but that was in tandem with Lyon. Murphy would be the first spinner not named Lyon to play as the sole tweaker on Australian soil in 15 years.
Todd Murphy likely to play first career Test in Australia
Speaking on Monday, McDonald admitted he doesn’t like playing a red-ball Test without a spinner. “It’s not something that we like doing,” the coach said. “I don’t think it’s something that will happen moving forward as well. We didn’t pick a spinner (in Melbourne) because of the surface that presented, and I suppose it was all validated with the way the Test match played out.
“I’d love to pick Todd. I’d love to see what he’s got to offer. Seven Test matches into his career, he’s well placed on the back of the last two years as well.
“We talked about Sammy (Konstas) before having a little dip in terms of the batting space, young spinners do have that as well. (Murphy) had some some issues with his shoulder, and we think he’s back to his best.”
Todd Murphy (L) appears likely to play in the fifth Ashes Test ahead of Jhye Richardson (R). Image: Getty
McDonald said of Richardson: “I think Jhye in a four-prong quick attack fitted, in particular, how much we think his capacity might be. Can he play in a three-man pace attack? That’s something we will have to decide, but he definitely fitted well in that four-man pace attack.”