Todd Murphy spun his way into the record books on day three of the first Test against India but his stunning start to his career was the only bright spot for the Australians.
In short, they have been outclassed in every facet of play over the course of the first two innings of the match.
India’s tail wagged brilliantly, in stark contrast to Australia’s collapse. The last four Aussie wickets fell for just 14 runs whereas the home side added 171 with Ravindra Jadeja (70) and Axar Patel (84) combining for an 88-run partnership and noted bunny Mohammed Shami scoring more than double the Australian tail on his own as the Indians went from 6-229 to be all out for 400.
Murphy made the first two breakthroughs on day three to finish with 7-124, the best figures by an Australian since fellow off-spinner Jason Krejza bagged 8-215 on the same ground in 2008.
Shami's high risk shots come to an end as Murphy gets his 7th. Carey with the safe hands underneath it.
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) February 11, 2023
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The 22-year-old Victorian’s figures were the 23rd-best in Test cricket history for a first-gamer and the only Australians who did better were all-time record-holder Albert Trott, who took 8-43 against England in Adelaide in 1895, Bob Massie, who made an incredible debut at Lord’s in 1972, with 8-53 and 8-84, and Tom Kendall’s 7-55 in the very first match at 1877.
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Todd Murphy celebrates taking the wicket of Ravindra Jadeja. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Fifth bowler a must for next Test
No matter what combination they settle on, Australia desperately need a fifth bowler for the second Test in Delhi next Friday.
The decision to go into the Nagpur series opener with only four frontline bowlers has turned out to be a dud one – Marnus Labuschagne was picked off at ease for 24 runs from his five overs of leg-spin while Matt Renshaw’s ineffective offies went for seven from the sole over he sent down.
Nathan Lyon brought up an unwanted century in runs conceded but also nearly added a half-century in the number of overs bowled with 49. Murphy was also bowled into the dirt due to Pat Cummins only having four viable options, sending down 47 overs in his first foray into Test cricket.
All-rounder Cameron Green still needs to prove his fitness for the second Test after six weeks out with a finger injury while Travis Head, with his handy off-spinners, could be in line for a quick recall after his surprise omission unless Renshaw and Peter Handscomb both fire with the bat in the second innings.
Mitchell Starc (broken finger) and Josh Hazlewood (Achilles) are likely to be available but even though Delhi is expected to not be quite the raging turner that Nagpur has been, Australia will probably only recall Starc at Scott Boland’s expense.
And some catching practice couldn’t go astray too. Boland dropped a sitter in the outfield which should have brought Shami’s cameo to an end on six, following on from dropped catches at slip on day two from Steve Smith.
“They’re the moments you have to win when you’re behind in the game,” former Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said on Fox Cricket.
“If they take those catches all of a sudden you might only be 140 behind, then if you bat well, you’re still in the game.”
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