It was a bold call from the selection table to drop spinner Todd Murphy ahead of the fourth Test.
Murphy was brought in by the injured Nathan Lyon, but bowled less than 10 overs at Headingley, and has lost his place to Cameron Green, who returns after missing the third Test with stomach pain.
Former Australian paceman Jason Gillespie isn’t sure about the pace. It is the first time Australia have entered a Test without a first-choice since January 2012 against India at the WACA.
“If Todd Murphy was indeed selected to fill the role vacated by Nathan Lyon, then why wasn’t he bowled over two overs on the final day at Headingley by Pat Cummins?” Gillespie wrote in his Daily Mail column.
“Certainly, I would have expected the Australian captain to use his off-spinner in the big moments of England’s chase if Lyon had been there. So it’s not too surprising that Australia dropped Murphy for the fourth Test on Wednesday.
“Is that a credible story? Is Cummins not sure if Murphy has what it takes? Or was he just defending his young Leeds shirt against the best batsmen in England? It’s an interesting debate, especially as Australia go into Wednesday’s match without a star player. spinner for the first time in Test cricket since 2012.
“I love Murphy. He’s a good young bowler and I’d be embarrassed to go into any Test without a spinner. I’d play him at Old Trafford.”
Only time will tell if Travis Head, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne can provide enough relief to the Australian batting line-up by providing their spin overs for a while.