Had Lyon been fit there would have been no question of leaving him out for this match, but the selectors have gone for a different route regarding the inexperienced Murphy who had a very limited role at Headingley, bowling just 9.3 overs.
“Nathan Lyon is the greatest offspinner we’ve ever had so it’s not quite apples for apples,” Cummins said. “We are really excited by Todd, think he’s fantastic. Would have loved to use him a bit more last week, think conditions just favoured pace bowling.
“When Nath played he obviously hasn’t had to bowl much but still provides something a little bit different to Nath so have used him a little bit,” Cummins said. “Really confident [in him], he defends himself well, uses a bit of drift as much as spin and he’s quite clever. Lot a confidence in his bowling, and we’ve got Smithy and Marny who can bowl some leggies, too.”
“You have to play a spinner in a Test match no matter where it is, in my opinion, but Old Trafford especially,” he said. “I think the way they used him [Murphy], it was a difficult one, I think the chase was a difficult one because we would have preferred facing a spinner. [They] were missing Nathan Lyon, who has been a massive part of the team and does an amazing job for them.”