Murphy announces himself to world

Nagpur, February 10

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Todd Murphy has had a “special” couple of days and the bespectacled Australian Test debutant couldn’t be happier for his five-wicket haul against India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Murphy has so far picked up 5/82 in 36 overs, with the wickets of KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli in his kitty.

“It’s been a pretty special couple of days and to top it off with a five-wicket haul on debut is more than I ever hope for and it is going to be something that I’ll look back on for the rest of my life and be proud of,” he said.

Murphy was all praise for the Indian batters and their ability to use their hands against the spinners.

“I haven’t bowled to a lot of people from around the world but I think the Indian guys they use their hands really well. They get their hands out in front of their pads and have got a lot of scoring options too. So, always a really difficult challenge there. And it was quite tough,” he said.

He started out as a medium-pacer but later found off-breaks to be his calling card.

“I think in all honesty my medium pace wasn’t really any good anyway, so it sort of just came a time where I was tinkering in the nets with off-spin bowling and yeah, got some really good feedback that what was coming out of my hand was alright. So, just went from there and kept working at it and it’s been the best thing I’ve ever done. So thankful I have,” he said.

It’s been an unbelievable journey for Murphy, who wasn’t even playing First-Class cricket a year back, and now has a five-for in Tests to boast of. His career took a turn for the better when he toured Sri Lanka with the Australia A side last year.

“I think this time last year I was still not in the state side so it sort of has been quite quick progress,” he admitted. “But one of the biggest things for me was getting to go to Sri Lanka and being on that A tour and having a little bit of success over that probably gave me the confidence I needed going back to Australia that I could mix it with First-Class cricketers,” he said.