Ashes 2023: Todd Murphy reveals Nathan Lyon advice ahead of Headingley Test

Australia’s greenhorn spinner Todd Murphy has revealed Nathan Lyon’s advice ahead of the third Ashes Test, which will be played at Headingley. With Nathan Lyon ruled out of the rest of the series due to a calf strain, Todd Murphy is all set to replace the veteran off-spinner in the final XI.

Murphy impressed on India’s tour earlier in the year as he scalped 14 wickets in four Test matches at an average of 25.2. The young off-spinner also bagged a seven-fer on his debut Test match at Nagpur.

Murphy revealed Lyon has told him to keep believing in himself and back his own strengths in the Ashes.

“It’s going to be different outlook for me,” he said. “I had a really good chat with Nath, think it was day four or five of the last Test, and he just said trust what you’ve got, believe in it and don’t go away from it. Don’t expect yourself to do too much. My body’s feeling really good at the moment. I’m confident that the work I’ve put in post-India to get that right, hopefully can hold up.”

Meanwhile, the off-spinner believes England is going to come even harder at them after trailing by 0-2 in the series.

“Think they’ll probably come even harder at me,” Murphy said. “Obviously I haven’t played a hell of a lot of Test cricket, there’s a challenge that presents itself. They keep taking the game on and I think it’s about trying to navigate through that, come up with a few different ideas that can help and try to keep creating chances.”

The 22-year-old Victorian spinner admitted that bowling in the Indian conditions gave him a lot of confidence and he will be looking to deliver his best at Headingley.

“Looking back on India, getting the opportunity to play Test cricket and being exposed to high-level contests only helps and think I took a lot of confidence from that experience. Trusting that if do get the opportunity, believe in myself that I can be good enough at this level.”

Murphy was accurate in his line and length and he had impressed on India’s tour. The third Ashes Test will be played at Leeds, Headingley from Thursday onwards.