Positive spin from Lyon gives Murphy injection of confidence for Ashes baptism of fire

Nathan Lyon has stressed upon Todd Murphy the importance of not trying to overplay his hand in the Ashes, with Australia’s fresh-faced spinner expecting to be targeted by England.

Lyon has officially passed on the baton as Australia’s chief spinner to Murphy this week, with the 35-year-old flying home to recover from a calf tear ahead of the home summer.

Such has Lyon’s command over the role been, Australia have not had to blood another tweaker as their main spinner since Ashton Agar in the 2013 Ashes.

For Murphy, this experience is also relatively new headed into Thursday’s third Test at Headingley.

While he played four Tests in India earlier this year, Murphy has never played a competitive match in England after opting to sit out a county stint with Durham in April and May.

The Victorian’s experience as a sole spinner is also limited, with only two of his 12 first-class matches having been without another tweaker in the side.