I am not going to say he is the next Nathan Lyon but Todd Murphy is very, very good: Tim Paine
Todd Murphy is in line to replace the injured Nathan Lyon for the third Ashes Test at Headingley beginning on Wednesday, July 6.
Australia's premier off-spinner Nathan Lyon suffered a horrific calf injury while fielding on Day 2 of the second Ashes Test at Lord's. He could not bowl in the Test match after the injury but did hobble his way out to the middle to bat on Day 4. Lyon stitched a crucial 15-run partnership with Mitchell Starc and earned a lot of plaudits for his show of courage.
On Monday, it was confirmed that the 35-year-old would play no further part in the Test series owing to the severity of the injury. He is likely to be replaced by another off-spinner, Todd Murphy, for the third Test at Headingley that commences on Thursday, July 6.
Former Australian captain Tim Paine acknowledged that Murphy's acumen can't be compared to that of Lyon. However, the wicketkeeper-batter praised the temperament of young Murphy, stating that it is not easy to knock him over easily.
"I am not going to say he is the next Nathan Lyon but he is very, very good. I have played against him a little bit and I have seen him around, he is the kind of young fellow that I find in terms of temperament, he is not going to be knocked around by," Paine said on the SEN Breakfast.
"I am not going to say he is the next Nathan Lyon but he is very, very good. I have played against him a little bit and I have seen him around, he is the kind of young fellow that I find in terms of temperament, he is not going to be knocked around by."
He has got the skills to play at this level and I think he will do a good job: Tim Paine
Todd Murphy made his Test debut for Australia on their tour to India earlier this year. He played all four matches in the series and picked up 14 wickets at an average of 25.21. The young spinner also dismissed Virat Kohli on four occasions.
Paine lauded Murphy for having a good head on his shoulders and felt that he would be able to cope with the pressure that players have to deal with when they are playing a high-voltage series like the Ashes.
"I think he will step straight into it. I think he loves it. He is very smart. He has got an old head on his body for a young guy and I think he will handle the big occasion both mentally really well and I think skill-wise we saw in India. He has got the skills to play at this level and I think he will do a good job."
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