Australian spinner Todd Murphy said he is relishing the opportunity to play in front of a potentially record Test crowd in Ahmedabad as they prepare to face India in the fourth and final match of their series starting on Thursday.
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.
But that tally could be shattered at the 132,000-capacity Ahmedabad stadium, named after Prime Minister NarendraModi, who will officiate the opening day’s play alongside his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese.More than 110,000 people are expected on opening day at the world’s biggest 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 sorts 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 would get at the start of the tour, so I’m trying to enjoy it.”India beat Australia in Nagpur and New Delhi to take a 2-0 lead in the four-Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, dominated by their spinners in both matches, but Australia won by nine wickets in Indore last week.
That result secured Australia a place in the WTC final at The Oval in June, and India could join them with a win. Murphy made his debut in the opening game of the series and took 11 wickets.
“It’s been great. It’s been great to play the first three tests and be part of a winning side,” Murphy said.