Murphy the man in Sheffield Shield thriller

By Josh Huntly

Mar 20, 2022

Spin to win: Todd Murphy of Victoria bowls during day two of the Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and Tasmania. Photo: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images Photo by Morgan Hancock

At 8-187 in pursuit of 233 runs, Victorians would have been forgiven for harbouring thoughts of imminent defeat on the final day’s Sheffield Shield play against Tasmania on Friday.

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Enter Todd Murphy, back for his first Sheffield Shield match since his debut in April 2021.

With Murphy at the crease, he and fellow Victorian Mitch Perry crafted a thrilling match-winning 37-run partnership for the eighth wicket, and it was Murphy who hit the winning runs — a glorious cut shot through point to drive Victoria to the top of the ladder.

His 24 not-out off 53 deliveries capped off a stellar return for the 21-year-old off-spinner.

In just his second game of first-class cricket, the poise of the Moama cricketing export was on show with ball in hand, claiming a crafty seven wickets for the game with his off-spin variety, and some prized scalps to boot.

Bowled Todd: Todd Murphy of Victoria celebrates the wicket of Ben McDermott. Photo: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images Photo by Darrian Traynor

Of his seven, Murphy had Matthew Wade out caught twice, and played a key role in stifling the Tasmanian top order in both innings.

Murphy claimed the early first-innings scalps of Tim Ward and Caleb Jewell in back-to-back overs, before breaking a 129-run stand between Wade and Ben McDermott with the wicket of Wade for 61.

Murphy then dismissed Tom Rogers for a duck to finish with figures of 4-98 off 29 overs on the batting-friendly carpet of Junction Oval, with Tasmania finishing all out for 355.

Not required with the bat in Victoria’s first dig — Peter Handscomb aggressively declaring at 7-334 — Murphy went to work again on day three, this time dismissing both Wade and McDermott to turn the tide of the game.

Murphy then sent Jake Doran packing for just two runs as Tasmania were rolled for 209 runs, finishing with figures of 3-48 in the second innings and seven scalps for the match.