Murphy’s law enforced

Australia’s off-spinner Todd Murphy celebrates the wicket of India’s Virat Kohli in Nagpur yesterday. Pic/PTI

Australia's tour management might have got one selection wrong in leaving out man-in-form Travis Head from the playing XI of the four-Test opener against India here at the VCA ground in Jamtha. But it certainly called the right shots in capping young off-spinner Todd Murphy to partner senior bowler Nathan Lyon.

The Test debutant picked up a fifer as India chased the visitors' extremely modest first innings total of 177 on a challenging track on Day Two and took a substantial lead which might prove crucial. In his first three spells the bespectacled Victorian, just 22, even out-bowled Lyon who came into his 116th Test with a staggering tally of 460 wickets. Bowling mostly from round the wicket, Murphy dismissed night-watchman R Ashwin, former captain Virat Kohli, seasoned batter Cheteshwar Pujara and debutant Kona Srikar Bharat to complete the coveted five-wicket haul in his debut bowling stint.

He had snared India vice-captain KL Rahul the previous evening.

Similar to Krejza's feat

Incidentally, it was at this ground where his predecessor Jason Krejza had snapped up 12 wickets in the first of his two-Test career way back in 2008. Murphy, who has represented his country at the under 19 level too and picked up off spin only at the age of 16, had dismissed Rahul by deceiving him in the air for a caught-and-bowled effort. He broke the stubborn partnership worth 42 between Rohit and Ashwin in the second hour on Friday morning by trapping the latter leg before.

The top scalps of Kohli, caught down the leg side by keeper Alex Carey on the second attempt, and Cheteshwar Pujara (sweeping) followed in the same second spell of 14-4-40-3. In his economical third spell of 7-3-14-1, he had Bharat trapped in front. Incidentally, all his five victims were right handed batters. He was later frustrated by the two left-handed batters, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, and ended the day with impressive figures for 36-9-82-5.

Also Read: India vs Australia 1st Test: Rohit Sharma's first class show!

Lyon's successor?

Murphy, who had played in just six first-class games in which he claimed 26 wickets before being pitch-forked into the Test arena, is being looked upon as the heir-apparent of Lyon after his fine stint. Australian off-spinners have had some success on Indian soil in the past, none better than Ashley Mallett who caught the eye of the country's fans with his wiles in 1969-70 with a tally of 28 wickets in five Tests.

Murphy's career has begun well and his progress would be keenly watched. He gave credit to his mentor Craig Howard, who had converted him from a medium paced trundler into a spinner and who is currently part of the New Zealand women's team's support staff, for helping him get adjusted to Indian conditions.

Credit to mentor Howard

"He knows me as well as anyone else in the group. We have had a lot of conversations over the years about what works in what conditions," said the youngster after the day's play. He also credited the visit to Sri Lanka as part of the Australia ‘A' side previously for gaining in confidence. "Being on that ‘A' tour (to Sri Lanka) gave me the confidence that I needed going back to Australia," Murphy remarked.