Ashes 2025-26: Todd Murphy expects greater workload for spinners in SCG Test

Todd Murphy (Source: Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Australia’s Todd Murphy has expressed hope for spinners to have a bigger role to play in the upcoming Sydney Cricket Ground Test. The fifth and final encounter of the ongoing five-match series between Australia and England will commence from January 4, and Murphy expects himself to be a feature in the Playing XI for the New Year’s Test.

Murphy, who has picked in Australia’s 15-member squad for the SCG Test with Nathan Lyon injured, spoke on how it was not known from before how less the pitches in the series would end up favouring spinners. The Victoria-born also predicted that the Sydney pitch could play out differently than the others based on his observations from the recent Big Bash League matches played there.

“I don’t think going into the series, there was ever that idea that spin wouldn’t play a role. I think it’s sort of just been how it’s eventuated. It’ll evolve from year to year. Next year, it could be completely different. I think it definitely can spin. We’ve played on some BBL wickets here where it has spun. I’ve only played a couple of Shield games and don’t think it’s ever done anything extraordinary out there. I don’t think recently it’s been massive spin but there’s still been a big part of the game where spin played,” stated Murphy, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

The 25-year-old was honest in admitting how Lyon has always been the frontrunner for selection, which has meant the former depending on upskilling himself in domestic cricket. The off-spinner also shared how he is still learning the art and enjoying his cricket.

“[When I made my debut] I probably understood back then it was never going to be linear for me. I was never going to keep my place in the team when Nathan came back and I was always going to have to go back through Shield cricket and keep developing. At that stage, I was only 23 so I still felt like I had a long way to go to be at my best. I still feel like I’m trying to discover that as well and continuing to get better,” he added.

Murphy last played for Australia in February 2025 against Sri Lanka. With Lyon out and the SCG pitch having had a history of playing a role for spinners, his inclusion in the XI is certainly on the cards. The youngster has played seven Tests till now, picking up 22 wickets while averaging 28.13.

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