England view Murphy as equal to Lyon for Leeds

England insist they will not underestimate Todd Murphy if he is thrown into the Ashes cauldron at age 22, adamant that going after the Australian spinner will be easier said than done.

Murphy appears almost certain to play in the third Ashes Test at Headingley next week, after scans confirmed Nathan Lyon had suffered a significant calf injury.

Australia are yet to confirm the exact plan for Lyon’s rehabilitation, but unless he recovers within four weeks his Ashes will be over.

That would leave Australia turning to Murphy, the only other spinner in their squad and clear next in line in the minds of selectors.

Murphy impressed in his maiden series in India earlier this year, taking 14 wickets at 25.21, including a seven-wicket haul on debut Nagpur.

But he is yet to play a competitive match in England, with all 12 of his first-class fixtures having come in Australia or India.

England have made a point to attack certain bowlers throughout their year under Brendon McCullum, and Murphy’s inexperience would likely make him a target.

But England’s spin coach Jeetan Patel has warned it would not be easy.

“He’s a good bowler, he’s just as good as Nathan Lyon,” Patel said.

“Nathan’s there, I suppose, because he has taken almost 500 Test wickets and he should be there.

“But to have Todd Murphy backing up, he is a good bowler. And he is going to ask different questions to Nathan so we have to look at different ways to play him.

“We don’t know how or what way we will look to attack him if we can, if the opportunity arises.

“But there will be a little bit of respect shown over the next few days in how we could go about it. And we will look at it from there.”

Australia must first find a way to take 10 fourth-innings wickets without Lyon in the Lord’s Test, after going to stumps on day three at 2-130 and with a lead of 221.

Australia would also want to wrap the match up quickly, given the workload a late day-five finish would likely put on Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc ahead of a short turnaround into Headingley.

“We’re down nearly 500 Test wickets in Nathan,” Starc said.

“But we’ve got guys who can come in and fill a role there.

“If us quickies do our job and take the bulk of the work and wickets, we can focus on that first and foremost.

“And then we’ll address it for the next game with obviously Toddy in the squad as well.”