Australia names spin-heavy squad for Test tour of India
The Hindu
Rising star Todd Murphy was on Wednesday included in Australia’s Test squad for its India tour.
Uncapped off-spinner Todd Murphy, with all of seven match first-class experience, received his maiden Test call-up as Australia on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, announced a spin-heavy squad for their upcoming four-Test series in India starting February 9.
Looking for their first Test series win in India since 2004, Australia will play Test matches in Nagpur (February 9-13), New Delhi (February 17-21), Dharamsala (March 1-5) and Ahmedabad (March 9-13).
The 22-year-old from Victoria will join fellow spinners Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson and Nathan Lyon in the 18-member squad which also includes Peter Handscomb and Matthew Renshaw as batting back-ups.
Owing to a finger injury, Mitchell Starc will miss the first Test in Nagpur on February 9 and is likely to join his pace colleagues ¬ captain Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland and Lance Morris later for rest of the series.
All-rounder Cameron Green will also be part of the contingent as he races against time to recover from a finger fracture.
"We have selected a squad that provides the depth and flexibility required to adapt depending on the conditions we may encounter," former skipper and current chief selector George Bailey said in a statement.
On Murphy's call-up, Bailey said: "Todd Murphy has progressed quickly having impressed in domestic cricket and recently with Australia A. With those performances Todd has emerged as a strong spin option."