‘Navigate those challenges’: Todd Murphy backed to deliver as Australia makes stack of changes for Boxing Day Test

Sixers teammate Sean Abbott has backed Todd Murphy to play a key role against England’s attacking batters if the off-spinner gets the nod for his home Test at the MCG on Boxing Day as Australia looks to complete an Ashes clean sweep.

Murphy is the only specialist spinner named in the 15-man squad that was announced on Tuesday morning, with Nathan Lyon set to have surgery on a torn right hamstring that will sideline him for an extended period.

Skipper Pat Cummins will also miss the match in Melbourne as part of an ongoing management plan for his back injury, with Steve Smith set to lead the side after overcoming his own concerns that forced him out of the third Test.

Beau Webster remains a chance of replacing the underperforming Cam Green, while Usman Khawaja and Josh Inglis will likely fight it out for a spot in the side after Khawaja returned to form despite initially being left out of the team in Adelaide.

Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser will likely vie for Cummins’ spot, while Jhye Richardson has also been included in the squad after overcoming his latest injury setback.

There could be an argument for an all-out pace attack on what looks to be a green deck, but Murphy has earnt the chance to play his first Test on home soil having played seven matches in Asia and during the 2023 Ashes tour.

Murphy edged out Matt Kuhnemann and other candidates to replace Lyon, who tore his hamstring in the field during the Adelaide Test, with the bespectacled off-spinner impressing Abbott over the years in several key areas.

“I’m not going to sit here and say I prefer him over anyone else because obviously you include someone and that means excluding other guys,” Abbott said at the SCG an hour before the Test squad was announced.

“I think there are some good spinners around the country doing a fantastic job at the moment.

“But what I will say about Todd is that my favourite trait about him – and when I get the chance to talk to ‘Moey’ (Sixers captain Moises Henriques) about him – is that it doesn’t matter the situation, it doesn’t matter if he has to bowl to a set batter to a short side hitting with the spin, he just grabs the ball and does his thing.

“There’s no better example of that then the other night when Matt Gilkes played some brilliant shots (in the BBL) and hit him for three fours in a row, but he managed to get him out after the third boundary.

“Whether Todd’s getting hit to the fence or he’s tying a batter down when he seems on top, he looks exactly the same at the top of his mark.

“It’s no surprise that he’s done well in Asia against some good players of spin. If he got his opportunity in front of the other spinners, I think he’d fit in pretty seamlessly and do a job.

“England are obviously a side that’s under the pump at the minute, but they do take a proactive approach to the game. I think Todd’s well-placed to navigate those challenges.”

Murphy’s ability to stay the same regardless of the scenario will be invaluable if he’s selected, with the 25-year-old set to gain some crucial experience over the next two weeks as Australia looks at what life looks like once Lyon eventually retires.

“He’s not flustered by who he’s bowling at or the situations of the game or any adversity,” Abbott said.

“He just goes about his business the way that he does, so it’s no surprise that he’s played international cricket and has done so well and for the Sixers as well.

“I’d be chuffed for him if he got the opportunity and I think he’d have a really good couple of Tests if he got the nod.”

Australia squad for fourth Test: Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster