Australia spinner Todd Murphy expects England to come hard at him in third Ashes Test
- Planet Sport writer
- 4 July 2023
Australia spinner Todd Murphy is bracing himself for England – and the home fans – to be on the attack at Headingley in the third Ashes Test.
Australia spinner Todd Murphy is expecting an aggressive approach from England - and the Headingley crowd - in the third Ashes Test.
Murphy has been catapulted into the Australia side after Nathan Lyon tore his calf during the second Test at Lord's and finds himself thrust into an intense moment between the old rivals.
England must win after going 2-0 down with three games to play and the atmosphere is expected to be hostile towards the tourists in the aftermath of Jonny Bairstow's divisive dismissal at Lord's.
It is all fresh territory for Murphy, a 22-year-old with just 12 first-class appearances and four Tests to his name.
"I think they'll probably come even harder at me," Murphy said, referring to England's clear attempt to attack Lyon in the first two Tests.
"Obviously, I haven't played a hell of a lot of Test cricket so it's a challenge that presents itself. They're going to keep taking the game on.
"I think it's just about trying to navigate through that and come up with a few different ideas potentially.
"I've never been to England before, so it's all quite new."
Murphy's previous games in the Baggy Green came during the tour of India earlier this year and he admitted he was expecting a more combative welcome than he received on that trip.
"I think this might be a bit different to the Indian crowd," he said.
"They made a lot of noise, but they were all quite friendly. From speaking to the boys, this is probably the most hostile ground you get in England and I'm quite looking forward to it if I do get the opportunity.
"I've always grown up watching Ashes cricket and love what the Barmy Army bring to the game.
"I'm sure they won't hold back. But I'll just embrace it and try and have a good time with it. It's all in good fun."
