Todd Murphy’s brilliant performance in India was enough to keep Victoria captain Peter Handscomb from worrying about picking the wheel of progress for a Sheffield Shield final on a ground he has never played on.
Victoria faces Western Australia in the WACA final, with the host state winning the toss and choosing to bowl first.
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Murphy took 14 wickets in four Tests in India, which were also his first four Tests and first games in the cricket-mad nation.
The spectacled spinner’s solid form on the subcontinent has proven enough to oust reigning Jon Holland for the five-day showdown, despite never having played a match in Perth and on ground that Handscomb hopes will be better suited for the attacking pace of the home team. .
The Netherlands have played seven of 10 matches this season, including last week in Perth, for a 12-wicket return.
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“Todd Murphy hadn’t played a game in India either and he still got picked and did well there,” Handscomb said Wednesday.
“We don’t care if the guys have played here or not. We have a lot of talent in the squad.
“Whoever misses out on who has been playing… it’s going to be tough. We have that decision to make.
“Once we have some talks and see where we want to go, we’ll finalize it.”
TEAM NEWS
Western Australia XI: Cameron Bancroft, Sam Whiteman (c), Teague Wyllie, Hilton Cartwright, Aaron Hardie, Ashton Turner, Josh Philippe (week), Joel Paris, Matthew Kelly, Corey Rocchiccioli, Lance Morris
Victory XI: Marcus Harris, Ashley Chandrasinghe, Campbell Kellaway, Peter Handscomb (c), Matt Short, Will Sutherland, Sam Harper (week), Fergus O’Neill, Todd Murphy, Scott Boland, Mitchell Perry
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