The inclusion of Nathan Lyon and young Todd Murphy, two off-spinners with nearly identical actions and who have deprived the visitors of diversity and flexibility in the slow-bowling department, has upset Australian cricket icon, Ian Healy. India dominated with the bat as well, scoring 77 for one, easily navigating 17 overs of spin from experienced Lyon and Murphy after bundling out the visitors for 177 on day one due to Ravindra Jadeja’s five-for. “In my eyes, probably not the right selection call,” Healy told ‘SEN Radio’ on Friday, indicating he wasn’t happy with Australia’s decision to debut Murphy in the first Test at Nagpur. Ashton Agar or Mitchell Swepson, both of whom have played Test cricket, would have been a better choice for the starting XI, the former wicketkeeper continued.
“I think he (Murphy) 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 (Thursday), they might as well pack their Baggy Greens away. I think we needed more variety and more experience,” opined Healy.
Someone like left-arm spinner Agar might have been more effective on the Nagpur pitch with Jadeja tearing through the Australian middle order, but his exclusion, along with that of prolific run-getter Travis Head — who can double up as a part-time spinner — could have given the visitors more variety in their spin bowling. “We change bowlers and we have another off-spinner (Murphy) on. We needed a left-arm orthodox (Agar) or a leg spinner to go with an off-spinner and Travis Head’s part-time off-spin and if you have to throw in Marnus (Labuschagne) as a leg spinner, do it, or pick Swepson as well,” added Healy.
“But if you pick Swepson, like Murphy, you needed Head or Agar in there to give us a bit longer batting.” The 59-year-old Healy hoped Pat Cummins’ side will bowl with more purpose in the days to come and claw back in the opening Test. “I’d like to see them bowl with a bit more courage today, which I think they will.”
