Ashes: Todd Murphy ready for England attack in Sydney Test

Australian spinner Todd Moffey is set to be England’s target in the final Ashes Test in Sydney.

Murphy, 25, could feature at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) after Nathan Lyon was ruled out of the series with a hamstring injury.

Murphy played two matches in the 2023 Ashes and was subjected to some particularly rough treatment in the third Test at Headingley, but ended up with seven wickets in the series at a better average and strike rate than the rest of the Australia team.

“I would say it’s a guarantee that if I play they’ll come at me,” Murphy said. “That’s the way they were playing, it was positive cricket. It wouldn’t be any different if I was playing and bowling.”

“You always have a chance when guys come after you – it gets you into the game a little bit more. If it shows up there, no problems.”

The SCG traditionally helps slow bowlers – three of the four leading Test wicket-takers are Australian spinners Shane Warne, Stuart McGill and Lyon.

But Murphy’s inclusion on Sunday (23:30 GMT Saturday) is not guaranteed due to the mixed weather forecast and the limited impact this Ashes series has had.

Just nine wickets have fallen in four matches, meaning this series is on course to have the fewest wickets taken by spinners in an Ashes series of at least four Tests, beating England’s 21st 3-1 win in Australia in 2010-11. This series will also comfortably have the fewest combined spins in an Ashes series.

Murphy has taken 22 wickets in his seven Tests, although he has yet to play at home.

“I still think there’s a role to play in the rotation,” Murphy said. “The ball will not be bowled and your role is to take wickets, it may be to play catch so the fast bowlers can get a break and then come back.”