Todd Murphy, a spinner with no previous experience, looks set to make his Test debut in Nagpur. For the first time since 1988, Australia will use two specialist off-spinners in a Test match.

After being informed that he would be participating in the first Test against India, it is believed that members of the Victorian’s family will be traveling to Nagpur.

While speaking from Nagpur on Wednesday, Australian captain Pat Cummins confirmed that the team had been selected by the selectors. Murphy, who is 22 years old, would be “as prepared as he could be” for his baptism of fire in India, according to Cummins.

“He’s been bowling beautifully in the nets over here. He’s started really well for Victoria in first-class cricket. If he got the nod, he’s got Nathan Lyon down the other end that he can work with. He’s ready – everyone in the squad here has had really good preparation. Whoever we pick is 100 per cent ready to go.” 

he said.

Although Australia may have chosen to move keeper Alex Carey up to number six in order to accommodate an additional bowler in the lineup, Murphy’s inclusion is likely to have come at the expense of either Scott Boland or Ashton Agar.

His selection caps a wild start to his first-class career that has included 25 wickets and 29 wickets in seven matches.

In December, when Murphy played in his most recent Sheffield Shield match against NSW, he was outstanding, scoring 3-44 and 4-42

In 2022, the 22-year-old made an impression on Australia A’s tour of Sri Lanka with a haul of 4-52 in Hambantota.

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Since Tim May and Peter Taylor played together on the 1988 Pakistan tour, Australia has not used two right-arm off-spinners in its bowling line up.