Uncap spinner Todd Murphy was the most striking change from the side’s dominating home game against South Africa. England have already shown they can win the series if they start with more than two spinners in their eleven games. It is clear from the selection of the Australian team that the same strategy will be used against India.
Todd Murphy will join spinner Nathan Lyon, Ashton Agar and Mitchell Swepson as slow bowling options in matches in Nagpur, New Delhi, Dharamsala and Ahmedabad. Southpaw Agar kept his place in the team despite failing to take a single wicket in his first Test since 2017 against South Africa.
Ashton Agar continues to impress following his return to Sydney and we believe left arm rotation will play a key role in the Indian conditions,” chief selector George Bailey said in a press release. Todd Murphy has progressed rapidly in domestic cricket and more recently with Australia A. With those performances, Todd has emerged as a strong rotation option and will have the opportunity to spend time with Nathan Lyon and assistant manager Daniel Vettori.
Meanwhile, left arm pacer Mitchell Starc will not join the team until after the first test. All-rounder Cameron Greene was picked up despite his injury in the hope that he can return by then. Josh Haselwood, back from injury, kept his place alongside captain Pat Cummins, Scott Boland and debutant Lance Morris.
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Swepson and middle-order batsman Peter Handscomb were some of the other changes from the side that beat South Africa. Meanwhile, opener Marcus Harris is out. Bailey made clear Peter Handscomb deserves to return to the squad. His experience against spin in the Indian subcontinent is invaluable. He also pointed out that he is also a good catcher close to the wicket.
Australian Team: Pat Cummins (Captain), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Haselwood, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnes Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith , Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson and David Warner.
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