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The Times of India
The Times of India
Sport
TIMESOFINDIA.COM

Excited to play in front of possible record crowd: Todd Murphy

NEW DELHI: As Australia prepare to face India in the fourth and final match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series starting in Ahmedabad on Thursday, rookie spinner Todd Murphy said he was relishing the opportunity to play in front of a possible record Test crowd.

The largest attendance for a single day of Test cricket is 91,112 - a record set during the fourth game between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the 2013-14 Ashes series.

1/10:Will Australia square India series in Ahmedabad?

Getty Images

2/10:Border-Gavaskar Trophy

<p>Australia will aim to square the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series on another spin minefield when the final Test begins in Ahmedabad on Thursday. </p>Getty Images

3/10:Rare home defeat

<p>India were chastened by a rare home defeat in the third Test last week and are looking to bounce back to take the series 3-1. </p>AP

4/10:WTC final berth beckons India

<p>With victory in Ahmedabad, India will secure a berth in the ICC World Test Championship final at the Oval in June. </p>AFP

5/10:Australia in WTC final

<p>Australia clinched their place in the showpiece with their nine-wicket third Test win, completed before lunch on the third day on a treacherous Indore track. </p>AP

6/10:Steve Smith

<p>Pat Cummins has remained at home because of a family illness, leaving Smith with another chance to pit his wits against India in the subcontinent. </p>Getty Images

7/10:​India and Australia PMs

<p>India and Australia's Prime Ministers are scheduled to attend on Thursday where another sharply turning wicket is expected at the Narendra Modi Stadium.</p>Getty Images

8/10:3 spinners

<p>Despite the local Gujarat Cricket Association's assurances of a "normal pitch", both sides are again expected to pick three spinners. </p>Getty Images

9/10:Kuldeep Yadav

<p>India may opt for the wrist-spin of Kuldeep Yadav instead of Axar Patel, who has taken only one wicket in the series. </p>Getty Images

10/10:Suryakumar Yadav

<p>India may also strengthen their batting by dropping a seam bowler and bringing in the explosive Suryakumar Yadav. </p>ANI
Will Australia square India series in Ahmedabad?

But that tally could be shattered at the 132,000 capacity Ahmedabad stadium, named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will attend the first day's play along with his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese.

More than 110,000 people are expected on the opening day at the world's largest cricket stadium and newcomer Murphy said the noise would be deafening.

"It's exciting, though," Murphy told reporters on Tuesday. "I think everyone looks forward to those opportunities where you can play in front of those sort of crowds. It'll be a great atmosphere. Something a bit different.

"I haven't played in front of heaps of big crowds back home, so I've sort of come over here with just the mindset of enjoying it and embracing what comes with India and playing with a smile on my face.

"I didn't really know what opportunities I'd get at the start of the tour so just trying to enjoy it."

India beat Australia in Nagpur and New Delhi to take a 2-0 lead in the four-Test series, with their spinners dominating both matches, but Australia hit back to claim a nine-wicket victory in Indore last week.

That result earned Australia their place in the World Test Championship final at The Oval in June and India can join them with a victory.

Murphy made his debut in the opening game of the series and has picked up 11 wickets.

"It's been pretty surreal. To play the first three Tests and be a part of a winning side was awesome," Murphy said.

"It's been a great tour and something I'm going to look back on for a long time and be really proud of what's come of it."

(With inputs from agencies)

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