Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Two off-spinners in aspect left Australia with completely no variation- Healy

Australian cricket legend Ian Healy is shocked by the workforce administration’s resolution to incorporate two off-spinners — Nathan Lyon and younger Todd Murphy — who’ve virtually comparable motion and have left the guests shorn of selection and variation within the slow-bowling division.

India, after bundling out the guests for 177 on day one due to Ravindra Jadeja’s five-for, dominated with the bat as effectively and notched up 77 for one, negotiating 17 overs of spin from veteran Lyon and Murphy with ease.

“In my eyes, probably not the right selection call,” Healy advised ‘SEN Radio’ on Friday, indicating he wasn’t proud of Australia’s resolution to debut Murphy within the first Test at Nagpur.

The former wicketkeeper added that both of Ashton Agar or Mitchell Swepson — each of whom have performed Test cricket — would have been a better option within the enjoying XI.

“I think he (Murphy) can bowl extremely well and he’s right in the shadow of Nathan Lyon for whenever he’s needed, but for me, we’ve left on the bench our most experienced spinners in Ashton Agar and Mitch Swepson.

“If we’re not going to use them yesterday (Thursday), they might as well pack their Baggy Greens away. I think we needed more variety and more experience,” opined Healy.

With Jadeja ripping by the Australian middle-order, somebody like left-arm spinner Agar might have been extra profitable on the Nagpur pitch, however his exclusion, together with that of prolific run-getter Travis Head — who can double up as a part-time spinner — might have given the guests extra variation of their spin bowling.

“We change bowlers and we have another off-spinner (Murphy) on. We needed a left-arm orthodox (Agar) or a leg spinner to go with an off-spinner and Travis Head’s part-time off-spin and if you have to throw in Marnus (Labuschagne) as a leg spinner, do it, or pick Swepson as well,” added Healy.

“But if you pick Swepson, like Murphy, you needed Head or Agar in there to give us a bit longer batting.” The 59-year-old Healy hoped Pat Cummins’ aspect will bowl with extra function within the days to come back and claw again within the opening Test.

“I’d like to see them bowl with a bit more courage today, which I think they will.”