Murphy bolts into four-spinner Test squad for India

Victoria rising star Todd Murphy has stormed into Australia's Test squad for the Qantas Tour of India, joining Ashton Agar and Mitchell Swepson as three potential spinning partners for Nathan Lyon.

Swepson, who played four of Australia's five Tests on the subcontinent last year for a return of 10 wickets at 45, was favoured over white-ball leg-spinner Adam Zampa as national selectors today confirmed an 18-player squad for the four-Test Border-Gavaskar series.

Victoria captain Peter Handscomb is also in line for a Test recall for the first time since January 2019, joining Matthew Renshaw as the reserve batters in the touring party.

Australia Test squad for tour of India: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

Murphy, who had played just one first-class match prior to 2022, has bolted in the Test squad following strong performances for Victoria, Australia A and the Prime Minister's XI over the past 12 months, and is viewed as a potential long-term successor to Lyon.

The 22-year-old has the lowest average of any spin bowler in the Marsh Sheffield Shield season to date with 14 wickets at 17.71 in just three matches, and showcased his match-winning ability by bowling Victoria to a final-day victory over NSW in the last match before the KFC BBL break.

"Todd Murphy has progressed quickly having impressed in domestic cricket and recently with Australia A. With those performances Todd has emerged as a strong spin option," Selection Chair George Bailey said.

"Selection in this squad also provides another opportunity to spend time alongside Nathan Lyon and assistant coach Daniel Vettori in India which will be invaluable to his development."

Opener Marcus Harris, who spent the summer travelling with the Australian squad before being released to the Melbourne Renegades during the New Year's Test after Renshaw was recalled, has been omitted.

Uncapped quick Lance Morris – the 2022-23 Shield leading wicket-taker after six rounds – retains his place in the squad and could be a chance for an international debut with confirmation Mitchell Starc would not join the squad until after the first Test in Nagpur as he recovers from tendon damage to his left middle finger.

Allrounder Cameron Green is also in a race against time to be fit for the opening Test after he fractured his right index finger during the Boxing Day Test against South Africa.

The inclusion of Agar and Murphy confirms the preference of finger spin for touring teams in India while Swepson, the only frontline wrist-spinner in the touring squad, offers variety. 

It is understood Australia's premier white-ball spinner in Zampa was seriously considered after playing his first red-ball match in three years in early December to show that he was "keen" to play a role on the seven-week India tour if an opportunity arose.

Agar went wicketless in his Test return last week in Sydney but with the likelihood of India fielding an XI of almost entirely right-handers (with Rishabh Pant in severe doubt for the series due to injuries suffered in a car accident last month), he and Swepson will offer a point of difference to Lyon with their ability to spin the ball away.

"Ashton Agar continues to impress following his comeback in Sydney and we believe left-arm finger spin will play an important role in Indian conditions," Bailey confirmed.

Australia were routed by left-arm finger spinner Prabath Jayasuriya during their most recent Test in Asia last July, when the Sri Lankan debutant claiming 12 wickets in a dream start to his career, while left-armer Stephen O'Keefe partnered Lyon in all four matches on the previous India Test tour in 2017 with both collecting 19 wickets apiece, which demonstrates the importance of Agar's skill set.

Also looming as a crucial skill on the dry, abrasive surfaces in India is reverse swing with skipper Pat Cummins revealing Australia would keep an open mind to the make-up of their XI for each match.

Josh Hazlewood gave his chances of selection for a first away Test since the opening match in Pakistan a boost with a sensational return from a side injury in Sydney, collecting 5-57 across both innings, which included the wickets of Keshav Maharaj and Heinrich Klaasen on the final day with significant reverse swing.

"Each game in India we might need to chop it up slightly differently," Cummins said following the drawn third Test against South Africa.

"Maybe one game it's three quicks, maybe another it's one quick.

"We'll get over there and see."

Queensland seamer Michael Neser is the other player to miss out following a strong Test return of 5-56 against the West Indies in Adelaide, with Scott Boland again preferred as the reserve quick as he was in Pakistan and Sri Lanka last year.

West Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis also missed selection after selection in the past two away tours, meaning Handscomb – who retired hurt in a T20 last night for club side St Kilda after being struck on the body – would likely take the gloves should Australia require a substitute keeper.

"Peter Handscomb deserves his place back in the squad," Bailey said.

"His domestic form has been strong recently and Pete has proven he can perform at Test level.

"His experience against spin on the subcontinent is valuable and he is also an exceptionally good close to the wicket catcher."

Today's squad announcement was also a blow to Glenn Maxwell's hopes of adding to his seven Tests, with the Victorian allrounder aiming to return to club cricket for Fitzroy-Doncaster after KFC BBL|12 as he continues his rehabilitation from a fractured fibula last November.

Australia and India will play four Tests in less than five weeks in Nagpur, Delhi, Dharamsala and Ahmedabad with the tourists searching for just their second series win in the subcontinent nation in the past 50 years following a famous 2-1 victory in 2004.

Renowned as one of the toughest countries to tour in world cricket, Australia have won just one Test in their last four series in India.

A three-match ODI series will follow from March 17-22, the squad for which will be announced at a later date.

Qantas Border-Gavaskar Tour of India 2023

February 9-13: First Test, Nagpur, 3pm AEDT

February 17-21: Second Test, Delhi, 3pm AEDT

March 1-5: Third Test, Dharamsala, 3pm AEDT

March 9-13: Fourth Test, Ahmedabad, 3pm AEDT

March 17: First ODI, Mumbai, 7pm AEDT

March 19: Second ODI, Vizag, 7pm AEDT

March 22: Third ODI, Chennai, 7pm AEDT