Former Australia captain Steve Waugh has criticized the team management’s decision to exclude off-spinner Todd Murphy from the playing eleven for the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford in Manchester. Murphy had stepped in for the injured Nathan Lyon in the third Test in Leeds but didn’t perform well as England closed the gap to 1-2 in the five-match series. Despite England’s strong position and the importance of the game in Manchester, Australia opted for an all-out pace attack. Nevertheless, Waugh believes that Australia made an error by not selecting Murphy for this crucial match.
“I tend to disagree with it. I think it’s a mistake, particularly in Manchester where the ball does turn. I know they’re probably looking at the forecast and saying there’s a bit of rain around, but you do need variation in the attack. Particularly with the way England plays,” Waugh, who played 168 Tests for Australia, told SENQ Breakfast.
According to Steve Waugh, the former Australia captain, he is concerned that if Australia fails to put up a substantial score, England might level the series in Manchester. Waugh points out that England aggressively target the bowlers, and with Australia relying solely on four right-arm quick bowlers, there is a lack of variety in their bowling attack. If the pitch turns out to be flat and Australia doesn’t have many tricks up their sleeve, England could take advantage of the situation.
On the first day of the fourth Ashes Test, Chris Woakes led England’s pace attack with impressive figures of 4-52 in 18.5 overs, while Stuart Broad took 2-68 in 14 overs, achieving his remarkable milestone of 600 Test wickets. At the end of Day 1, Australia finished at 299/8, with Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh each contributing 51 runs to the total.
It’s worth noting that England has a strong record at Old Trafford, winning 13 out of their last 16 Tests at the ground. However, they haven’t secured an Ashes victory at this venue since Ian Botham’s memorable century in 1981.