Australian spinner Nathan Lyon is one of the greatest spinners to ever play the game. He recently became the 8th highest wicket-taker in the history of test cricket. Lyon turned 35 this year, and it is certain that Australia will be looking for a spinner to replace him for long-term.
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Lyon has been leading the spin attack of Australia for a long now, and it won’t be easy to replace a player of that caliber as well. He has scalped 446 test wickets in 112 tests at an average of 31.92. Australia will tour India next year, and he is going to be their biggest asset in subcontinent conditions.
Todd Murphy, the 22-year-old spinner is getting a lot of praise, and he is said to be the next big thing in Australia. He has scalped 29 FC wickets in 7 matches, whereas his performances in the practice games against Sri Lanka and West Indies were great as well.
Steve O’Keefe backs Todd Murphy to be Nathan Lyon’s replacement
Todd Murphy is emerging as the new promising spinner of Australia, and he has got some backing from his senior spinner as well. Steve O’Keefe, who was a part of the Australian team when they last travelled to India has said that Murphy can be the long-term replacement of Lyon for Australia.
Keefe said that it is a big call about the 22-year spinner, but Murphy has the ability to live up to the expectations. He said that Murphy is the best off-spinner he has seen after Lyon.
“There’s been a lot of talk about Todd Murphy, but I genuinely think he’s Nathan Lyon’s future replacement,” Steve O’Keefe said on Fox Cricket.
“I think he’s the best off-spinner I’ve seen come through since Nathan. It’s a big call, but I stand by it and I think I’ll be proven right over the next 12 months.”
O’Keefe and Murphy will be playing together for the Sydney Sixers this year, and O’Keefe believes that Murphy can get his opportunities this time around. It is safe to say that O’Keefe has been the leader of Sixers’ spin bowling, and Murphy can learn a lot under him.
“There are some tours coming up and I think he’ll get his opportunity with the Sixers and I think he’ll get his chance with Australia. If it’s not next year, then it’ll be in the next couple of years,” Steve O’Keefe added.
