Australian selectors are set to name four frontline spinners for next month’s blockbuster four-Test series of India, including uncapped Victorian off-spinner Todd Murphy and four-Test Queenslander Mitch Swepson.
However, veteran paceman Michael Kasprowicz, one of the stars of Australia’s famous 2004 winning series in India, has counselled selectors against putting too much pressure on Murphy, saying the subcontinent isn’t the place to throw him into Test cricket.
Australia will announce an 18-man squad on Wednesday for upcoming Tests in Nagpur, Delhi, Dharamsala and Ahmedabad, starting on February 9.
Sources with knowledge of discussions who spoke anonymously as the information was confidential told the Herald and The Age that Murphy was poised to be named in his first Australian touring party.
It is understood left-armer Ashton Agar and leg-spinner Mitch Swepson will accompany stalwart Nathan Lyon in a squad that will also feature part-time spinners Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith.
Adam Zampa was strongly considered but the same sources say the NSW leg-spinner had missed out on selection.
Batsmen Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb have booked their ticket to India, while injured duo Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green (both finger injuries) will be travelling with the hope of taking part in the series at some stage.
Victoria’s Todd Murphy in action.Credit:Getty Images
Murphy, dubbed by Steve O’Keefe as the best Australian off-spinner since Nathan Lyon, could be in line for a Test.
However, Kasprowicz warned against blooding a spinner in Indian conditions, particularly against a batting line-up that will be looking to go after the young rookie.
In 2004, Australia played only one frontline spinner in each Test – either Shane Warne or Nathan Haurtiz as well as part-timer Michael Clarke – preferring to go with three quicks.
“Don’t do it [debut Murphy] in India,” Kasprowicz said. “They are the best players of spin in the world. There’s a temptation when you turn up to a spinning wicket … you end up finding that bowlers try too hard for their wickets.
“This whole search for spin [in India] … there’s a bit of a myth about that. The best spinner ever was Warnie. His record in India wasn’t fabulous. He’s bowling against the best players of spin in the world in their conditions. That was the other side of it. As far as spin bowlers, you don’t need to overthink it. You’ve got to almost simplify it.
“I spoke to [former Indian coach] Ravi Shastri during the IPL years ago. I asked what’s the secret in India in the subcontinent. He said it’s all about accuracy. He said it’s not about the flight or dip … it’s about getting it in that right area and the pitch naturally gives you variation. I’m excited about this series because someone like Nathan Lyon has been there and done it all before.
“I think Travis Head’s off-spin is pretty cool. If he is coming in for five or 10 overs in a day, if the wicket is turning, he’s going to do a good job.”
Michael Kasprowicz celebrates a wicket during the 2004 India series.Credit:Reuters
Kasprowicz supported Swepson’s selection in the squad after watching him bowl in the flesh while on commentary duties in Pakistan during Australia’s successful tour there last year. Swepson has 10 wickets from four Tests at an average of 45.8.
“He deserves to be selected,” said Kasprowicz of Swepson. “Even the opportunity to be in India will be great. If the conditions and opportunity presents itself, he’ll go really well.”
Skipper Pat Cummins said after the SCG Test that Agar was a certainty to be picked, while Lyon is a key figure for Australia.
Meanwhile, reports out of India suggest star quick Jasprit Bumrah is set to miss the majority of the Test series due to stiffness in his right glute.
Kasprowicz doesn’t think Bumrah is a huge loss given India’s depth but feels Australia can “absolutely” pull off a Test-series victory for the first time there since Adam Gilchrist’s side of 2004.
“Pat Cummins being the best fast bowler in the world and Josh Hazlewood coming back in and Starc there … it’s such a well-balanced Australian team,” Kasprowicz said. “They’re playing exciting cricket and that’s why it’s going to be a great series.
“Cam Green is an absolute gift. The way he hits the deck and bowls reverse swing – and the pace he bowls – it’ll be dynamite for the team. It’s not a matter of just playing one spinner and that’s it.”
Kasprowicz snared nine wickets at 28.33 in Australia’s series win 19 years ago. No Australian team had managed the feat since Bill Lawry’s side of 1969.
“Our plan for 2004 was to go over there and bowl straighter,” Kasprowicz said. “It was to hit off stump, which in theory didn’t make sense because you’re coming right to the strength of India’s batsmen. The best part about that was the execution and we delivered it. It was so different to what the Australian team had done forever.
“Having been there in 1998, given how hard it was, to 2001, which was heartbreaking, to go in 2004 and be able to flip it and change things was awesome. I’d love to be there.”
Likely Australian squad for India series: Pat Cummins (captain), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Pete Handscomb, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Agar, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Mitchell Swepson.
