Todd Murphy: Navigating the challenging path to replace Nathan Lyon

Technical Nuances: How Murphy Mirrors and Differs from Lyon

Who is the heir apparent to Nathan Lyon? Does it matter, and what should we expect from Todd Murphy?

I recently read that Murphy is using a calendar—with January 2025 highlighted. As Australia is set to complete a drive-through two-Test series in Sri Lanka, Murphy will be hoping for better outcomes as Sri Lanka looks to recover from their crushing first Test defeat.

A large part of the visitors’ resounding win can be attributed to Matt Kuhnemann. The left-arm spinner’s performance in Galle was remarkable, especially considering his recent thumb surgery. Just weeks after having two screws inserted in his non-bowling hand, he claimed the impressive match figures of 9-149 (5-63 and 4-86)— relegating Lyon and Murphy to support roles.

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So, where does Todd Murphy stand in relation to Nathan Lyon and possession of the heir apparent mantle?

Well, at the least, Murphy mirrors Lyon in action. Once called right arm off spin—I still see an ageless John Savage floating them down in the Lancashire CCC indoor school! Now, the new world prefers right arm finger spin, allowing room for the unorthodox to operate in this once routinely mundane space. You could argue it’s a liberal, slash woke thing. Or, just progression. Anyways, Murphy tries to do the same thing Lyon does.

They differ technically. Lyon has consistently chosen a more vertical seam rotation, inviting more dip and bounce. The true wonder of Lyon’s art, much like a predecessor, is that he gets the ball to curve and spin, as well as the dip and bounce stuff. Mix in pace variation and a metronomic consistency that has driven batters to distraction, and you have a complete package. Not bad from a once-groundsman!

Nathan Lyon. Attached: 134 Tests, 539 wickets @30.39. Best 8/50 and economy 2.93, and a 62.1 strike rate. Steady going.

Todd Murphy came to finger spin from a pacer background—many did before him: Eddie Hemmings, Colin ‘Funky’ Miller, and Mike Watkinson being a few—a couple of curveballs there! Still, the transition from pace to spin promotes a high release and plenty of body rotation.

Todd Murphy. Attached: six Tests, 21 wickets @25.42. Best 7/124 and economy 3.03, and a 50.2 strike rate. Promising start.

I first saw Murph in 2019-20. He was predominantly an over-spinner who relied on control and drop. His preference was lefties—he’d make a living bowling to himself. He was super-smart in strategy and had a decent amount of edge about him—looks can be deceiving.

In February 2023 in Nagpur, where Murphy debuted, there was a significant change to his release and seam position. Murphy’s pivot in his seam position was more of a complimentary shift than a technical one, partnering with Lyon for the first time. Australia sought to have one of their spinners be quicker and slide more into the stumps. Lyon would continue to operate in his accustomed manner. Initially, this role sat with Ashton Agar—which was confusing at the time, and even more so after he was prematurely handed a return ticket to Perth.

The Test debut in Nagpur was a personal triumph for Murphy amid team struggle. While Australia were reduced to their lowest score in India—91 in their second innings—Murphy presented himself with the outstanding figures of 7-124, the sixth-best innings figures for an Australian debutant. His performance stood out in a match where India's spinners—three of them—led by Jadeja (5-47) and Ashwin (5-37), dominated proceedings. Travis Head's omission was a setback for Australia. The Test exposed Australia's broader struggles against spin in subcontinental conditions and highlighted why Murphy had been chosen as Lyon's potential successor. Echuca was bouncing, so much so they felt it in Moama!

The remainder of Murphy's maiden series proved less statistically spectacular but equally instructive. In Delhi, where Australia's batting failed again to hand India a six-wicket victory, Murphy combined with debutant Matthew Kuhnemann, showing his adaptability by adjusting to a three-pronged spin attack. The series' momentum shifted briefly in Indore, where Australia claimed a rare nine-wicket victory on a challenging surface, though it was Lyon who dominated with 8-64 in the second innings.

Then, the final Test in Ahmedabad showcased Murphy's growing maturity on a pitch that offered little assistance. Despite India's mammoth 571, including Kohli's 186, Murphy maintained his composure and tactical awareness, finishing with 3-113 from 47 overs. The drawn match, played on a surface that yielded 1226 runs, highlighted Murphy's ability to adjust his game when conditions weren't in his favour—a positive for any aspiring successor to Lyon's position.

Since Ahmedabad, Murphy’s played just two Tests: Leeds and The Oval. Both pitches bore no resemblance to what he saw in India. Predictably, his numbers were down, although his last bowling innings before Galle yielded 4-110. In comparison, Nathan Lyon has played 16 Tests, bowled close to 450 sets, taken 58 wickets, well below his career average of 30.39, and his economy flatlines around his career number of 3.0. Taking the numbers out, if you interject Murphy into Lyon’s series presence, this would have rapidly accelerated Murphy’s Test education. Pakistan, New Zealand, and India all present batting challenges for a finger spinner.

It is also worth noting Murphy’s lack of work in the Sheffield Shield. Victoria splits their home games between the MCG and the Junction Oval. The former is morphing into an excellent four-day surface, and the Junction is either spirit-level flat or goes all over the place. The MCG has wearing tendencies; the Junction less so. Murphy is not benefiting from either. In short, his learning will be done on the job playing Test cricket.

So is Todd Murphy's position truly unenviable? Yes and no. Following Lyon brings pressure, but Murphy's early showings suggest he has both the tactical acumen and technical foundation to survive. His challenge isn't just about filling Lyon's shoes—it's about developing without the luxury of gradual progression that his predecessor enjoyed. While the Sheffield Shield might not offer ideal preparation, and Test cricket demands immediate results, Murphy's adaptability from Nagpur to the Oval hints at a cricketer who can handle this accelerated apprenticeship. The real test won't be whether he can replicate Lyon's career, but whether Australia and Test cricket can provide him the space and opportunities to develop his own place in the Test eco-system.