Former Australia cricketer Ian Healy was left unimpressed when he went through Australia's playing XI for the opening Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Nagpur. Australia have included two off-spinners in the likes of Nathan Lyon and young debutant Todd Murphy.
The wicket in Nagpur got into the limelight even before the Test match actually started as certain Australian journalists and former Aussie cricketers talked a lot about the wicket going to be extremely spin friendly just when some of its pictures went viral on social media.
Probably not the right selection call: Ian Healy
"In my eyes, probably not the right selection call," the 58-year-old told SEN Radio.
The former right-handed wicketkeeper-batter first expressed his immense disappointment upon the Australian selection in wanting to opt for young off spinner Todd Murphy into the side. Questioning the mindset of the management, he stated that having Todd Murphy into the playing XI was of no extra-good, as the youngster's bowling action was almost the same as that of veteran off spinner Nathan Lyon.
Healy stated that no doubt Murphy Is excellent, but he wouldn't be a long-lasting success for Australia as the Indians would quickly read his action since it is quite similar to Lyon. He also said that Australia have done themeselves a major damage by not opting for spin variations, with Ashton Agar and Mitchell Swepson available to play.
“I think he can bowl extremely well and he’s right in the shadow of Nathan Lyon for whenever he’s needed, but for me, we’ve left on the bench our most experienced spinners in Ashton Agar and Mitch Swepson. If we’re not going to use them yesterday they might as well pack their Baggy Greens away.
I think we needed more variety and more experience. I thought Todd (Murphy) bowled well, he bowled pretty well. He went around the wicket though, I don’t think they can stay around the wicket to right-handers as long today, they’re going to really have to get some shape, drifting away from the right-handers and spinning back from outside off stump," he concluded.
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