Australia spinner Todd Murphy says he is ready to be targeted by England if selected for the final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The 25-year-old off-spinner could feature after Nathan Lyon was ruled out of the series with a hamstring injury. Murphy has played seven Tests so far and taken 22 wickets, but is yet to make a home Test appearance.
Murphy said England’s approach would not surprise him, adding that attacking cricket can also create wicket-taking opportunities, according to BBC Sport.
Murphy Expecting England to Take Risks
Murphy recalled his experience during the 2023 Ashes in England, where he was attacked heavily, particularly at Headingley. Despite that, he finished the series with seven wickets at a better average and strike rate than the rest of the Australian bowling attack, according to Australia Cricket statistics.
He said being attacked can sometimes help a spinner stay in the game and bring dismissals into play, as quoted by BBC Sport.
Spin’s Reduced Role This Series
Spin bowling has played a limited role in the ongoing Ashes, with only nine wickets falling to spinners across four Tests, as per match data released by Cricket Australia. This puts the series on course to record the fewest spin wickets in an Ashes series of four or more Tests.
Green pitches and the Kookaburra ball have favoured fast bowlers, reducing spin overs significantly in Australian conditions over the past decade, according to historical Ashes data.
Team Selection and SCG Conditions
The Sydney Cricket Ground has traditionally assisted spinners, with Shane Warne, Stuart MacGill and Nathan Lyon among the venue’s leading wicket-takers, according to venue records.
However, Murphy’s inclusion is not guaranteed due to weather forecasts and the minimal impact spin has had so far in the series.
Australia were able to train at the SCG on New Year’s Day, while England’s session was affected by rain, according to BBC Sport.
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