Todd Murphy to start Australia A Squad

Victorian spinner Todd Murphy has been selected in Australia’s A team for a tour of Sri Lanka in June after just two Sheffield Shield appearances.

The Sri Lankan tour marks the first Australian A-team to travel overseas since the start of COVID-19. Team A will play two one-day matches and two four-day matches.

Murphy’s rise comes after a Sheffield Shield winning performance against Tasmania at the CitiPower Center in March.

The 21-year-old claimed match numbers of 7-146 and also contributed a 47-run ninth-wicket stand with Mitch Perry to lead the Vics to a momentous win.

Todd Murphy is changing this game! consecutive wicket girls just before lunch 👌#SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/zn14sGJkUo

— Victorian Cricket Team (@VicStateCricket) March 15, 2022

Murphy made his Sheffield Shield debut the previous season against South Australia and also impressed with the white ball in seven List A appearances.

Four separate squads were named on Friday morning for the all-format tour of Sri Lanka starting in June, one which saw fellow Victorians Scott Boland (Test squad), Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell (ODI and T20 squad) named.

There were five Victorians named in the Australia A team; Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Scott Boland and Nic Maddinson were named alongside Murphy. Boland will use the Australia A component to prepare for the test series.

FIVE Vics in Australia A team on tour in Sri Lanka!

Scott Boland will prepare for the Test series with Australia A, while Todd Murphy has been selected in his first national team! 💪#vicsdoitbetter pic.twitter.com/zxxc4AR8tF

— Victorian Cricket Team (@VicStateCricket) April 29, 2022

All four A games will be played before the start of the Test series, meaning players will have the opportunity to make their case for inclusion in Australia’s first Test tour of Sri Lanka in six years.

Murphy represents St Kilda Cricket Club in Victorian Premier Cricket and currently plays for Tracy Village in the Darwin & District Cricket Competition during the Victorian off-season.