While awaiting information on whether Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green would be fit for the series, Australia has named an 18-person squad for the Border-Gavaskar series in India, including 22-year-old Todd Murphy.
Todd Murphy, an uncapped offspinner, has received his first Test call-up in Australia’s 18-man squad for the upcoming Test series in India. Despite being selected, Mitchell Starc will sit out at least the first game of the four-game series, which starts on February 9 in Nagpur, as he continues to recover from the left index finger tendon injury that prevented him from playing in the third Test against South Africa of the recently concluded series in Sydney. The timely healing of Cameron Green’s broken finger is also necessary for his inclusion as an all-around player.
In Starc’s absence, uncapped pacer Lance Morris may be in line to make his debut in Nagpur after keeping his spot in the team. Another backup pace option in the group is Scott Boland, who was unable to play against South Africa in Sydney.
Six pacers and four frontline spin options—Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson, who has also been recalled, Ashton Agar, and Murphy—will ensure that the visitors are fully prepared for the variety of conditions in India, according to selectors chairman George Bailey.
While Marcus Harris was left out, Peter Handscomb, who had been recalled to the Australia Test side prior to the game at the SCG that was hampered by rain, kept his spot and will team up with Matt Reneshaw as the batting backups. 2019 marked Handscomb’s final Test match for Australia.