Daniel Vettori, Australia’s assistant coach, had nothing but high praise for Todd Murphy after the latter’s impressive showing in the ongoing Test series in India. The former left-arm spinner and seasoned campaigner was especially enthused by Murphy’s ability to contain Virat Kohli in the five innings they have played together. Murphy’s Test debut could not have gone any better as he raked up seven wickets in the only innings Australia bowled in Nagpur. The Victorian has been particularly successful against Kohli, dismissing him three times in the five innings they have faced each other. Additionally, his average in the series stands at a remarkable 21.81.
On Monday (March 6), former left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori remarked that the stumping of Kohli in Test cricket truly showcases Murphy’s skill and how his defensive bowling enabled the other two spinners to be successful in Indore. Vettori was quoted by Perth Now as saying, “Steve Smith singled him out around his performances in the last Test. His spell allowed everyone around him to take those wickets. The fact that Kohli had never been stumped before that Test match in Delhi when Murphy got him out.”
The former captain of the Kiwis stressed that the young player had made a successful shift from local to global cricket. He went on to say: “For such a young spinner, and inexperienced spinners as well, he hasn’t played that much first-class cricket to be able to come here and handle these tough situations and perform the role that’s required has been impressive.”
Daniel Vettori remarked that he could not achieve what Lyon did in his record-breaking Indore performance. The 44-year-old also said: “Ever since I’ve started watching Lyon bowl I’ve marveled at him. As a fellow finger-spinner who can’t do what he did, there’s always that element of his ability to bowl that ball which is so impressive. We saw him at his absolute best in this Test.”
