WTC Finals: Ashwin’s carrom ball inspires Australian spinners to embrace variation

With the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL), all eyes are now set on the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) where India will face off against Australia. The highly anticipated match is scheduled to commence on June 7 at The Oval, and for India, who narrowly missed out on winning the championship in 2021, the aim is to finally lay their hands on the prestigious mace.

In recent years, India has emerged as the dominant side in the Test format against Australia, having won the last four Test series between the two teams. The previous encounter between the two sides saw India emerge victorious with a 2-1 scoreline, with spin playing a crucial role in the contests. However, Australia showcased some promising newcomers, including Todd Murphy, who made his debut in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year. Murphy, in his maiden Test series, impressed with 14 wickets at an average of 25.21.

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While Murphy managed to trouble the Indian batsmen on spin-friendly pitches, he is eager to add R Ashwin’s renowned ‘carrom ball’ to his bowling arsenal. Speaking to AAP, Murphy expressed his desire to master the art of Ashwin’s delivery, acknowledging the simplicity yet difficulty of executing it effectively. He emphasized the importance of being confident in executing such variations and how they can pose different challenges for batsmen.

Murphy is actively utilizing video technology to study the intricacies of the carrom ball, particularly focusing on Ashwin’s point of release. The access to detailed analysis has allowed him to closely observe Ashwin’s hand and wrist positions, gaining valuable insights into the variations and behaviors of the ball.

“In those conditions, his skill sets are as good as anyone, and it was amazing to just watch the subtle variations he is able to implement in sequencing throughout his overs,” Murphy remarked, highlighting the admiration and learning experience he derives from studying Ashwin’s bowling.

While Murphy aims to add the carrom ball to his repertoire, he also recognizes the importance of mastering the fundamentals and ensuring his stock ball remains strong in Test cricket.

As India and Australia gear up for their WTC clash, fans eagerly await a thrilling battle between two formidable sides, with both teams looking to assert their dominance in the longest format of the game.