Nathan Lyon has stressed upon Todd Murphy the importance of not trying to overplay his hand in the Ashes, with Australia’s fresh-faced spinner expecting to be targeted by England.
Lyon has officially passed on the baton as Australia’s chief spinner to Murphy this week, with the 35-year-old flying home to recover from a calf tear ahead of the home summer.
Such has Lyon’s command over the role been, Australia have not had to blood another tweaker as their main spinner since Ashton Agar in the 2013 Ashes.
For Murphy, this experience is also relatively new headed into Thursday’s third Test at Headingley.
While he played four Tests in India earlier this year, Murphy has never played a competitive match in England after opting to sit out a county stint with Durham in April and May.
The Victorian’s experience as a sole spinner is also limited, with only two of his 12 first-class matches having been without another tweaker in the side.
Todd Murphy and Nathan Lyon during the India tour. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
“It’s going to be different outlook for me,” Murphy said. “I had a really good chat with Nath on day four of the last Test, and he just said trust what you’ve got, just believe in it and don’t go away from it.
“Keep backing yourself in and make sure you play the role you are here to play and don’t expect expect yourself to do too much. Just try and contribute when you can. He has been awesome in that sense.”
Murphy had a stellar first Test tour in India last month, taking 14 wickets at 25.21 and getting the prized scalp of Virat Kohli four times.
But the 22-year-old is well aware he will be attacked by England’s batters. The English have routinely used their feet to Lyon throughout this series, and scored at more than five an over against him in the first innings at Edgbaston.
Lyon responded by taking eight wickets for that match, with four of his nine scalps this series being through stumpings.
“I think they’ll probably come even harder at me,” Murphy said.
“Obviously I haven’t played a hell of a lot of Test cricket, there’s a challenge that presents itself there.
“They are going to keep taking the game on and I think it’s about trying to navigate through that for me and come up with a few different ideas that can help.
“I just have to stay in the contest as long as I can and try to keep creating chances.”
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