Spinner Todd Murphy will “come in fresh” for the third Ashes Test to replace Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland could return with just four days for Australia’s bowling attack to recover from their Lord’s success.
Captain Pat Cummins bowled 25 second innings overs to help pilot his team to a memorable second-Test win over England, with Mitchell Starc also sending down 22 and Josh Hazlewood 18, with a barrage of short-pitched bowling taking an extra toll.
But Cummins, who is set to play all five Tests with the potential for rotations among the other fast bowlers, dismissed concerns over having to back-up so quickly for the third Test at Headingley.
He did, however, say their training load would be light until Thursday when hostilities resume.
“Physically backing up after a few days isn’t anything new for Starcy, Joshy or (me),” Cummins said.
“Murph (Murphy) will come in fresh and obviously Scotty missed this one, so he might enter the conversation for the next one.
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“I don‘t think you’ll see many of us bowling many balls in the nets the next few days. It’ll all be about recovering for the next one.
“It’s a quick turnaround but it’s important we just take a pause for a moment and appreciate being up two-nil.”
Confirmation of Murphy’s inclusion for Lyon, who is set to miss the rest of the series with a calf injury, will come in the following days, but the master has already been preparing his apprentice.
Earlier this year the duo toured India, where Murphy made a stunning Test debut, and have been working closely since Lyon injured himself at Lord’s.
Lyon said it would be a challenge to adjust to English conditions but had no doubt Murphy was ready to make an impact.
“I sat with Todd in the last session there and spoke about spin bowling as we do. I have a lot of confidence in Todd. He is a great kid. He is willing to learn along the way,” Lyon said.
“I have told him my phone is always on, it doesn’t matter if I am sitting in the changeroom with him or I am sitting at home watching it in bed.
“His stock ball is good enough in international cricket. We have seen that in India in arguably the hardest place to bowl spin.
“It will be a different challenge with the England batters.
“If they do come at him, it provides Todd with a decent challenge but a chance to leave his footmarks here in England. It is a big Ashes series, he is excited by the opportunity.”
It’s unclear if Lyon will remain in England, with his injury to be fully assessed.
