'He's had a great start to his career' - Josh Hazlewood lauds Todd Murphy ahead of fourth Ashes Test

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has lauded Todd Murphy ahead of the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford. Hazlewood recalled Murphy’s debut match against India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in 2023, when the young off-spinner picked up seven wickets in Nagpur.

The 22-year-old spinner has come in as the replacement for injured Nathan Lyon. Lyon got injured in the second Test at Lord’s before being ruled out of the series due to a calf injury. Murphy played the third Test at Headingley but only picked one wicket in the game.

Todd's had a great start to his career: Josh Hazlewood

"Todd's had a great start to his career, particularly in the subcontinent against the best players of spin the world, India. I know we are going to miss Gazza [Lyon] from time to time when we are in the field but think Todd as his understudy has done a great job so far and expect the same again," Hazlewood told reporters ahead of Manchester Test.

“We haven't bowled a lot of overs in terms of what Test matches usually look like for us," "The way England play, it gets us in the field for a little less in terms of workload. I felt pretty good going into [Headingley],” he added. 

“It was probably the right call now I can sit back and look at the big picture. I was desperate to play, which is obvious. But now it makes sense," the pacer said on his return after missing the last Test. 

The visitors lead the five-match series 2-1, having won the first two Tests before England came back strong and won the Test by three wickets to keep the series alive. Undoubtedly, Ben Stokes-led England will be looking to make it 2-2 after the fourth game at Old Trafford on July 19.