The Unplayable Podcast · Cricket Australia

Todd on the pod: Murphy spins back into contention, Khawaja's swansong

·55 min·5 clips

Usman Khawaja shares how seeing Michael Slater's red Ferrari inspired his dream to play for Australia.

This episode of The Unplayable Podcast, recorded from the SCG, focuses on Usman Khawaja's retirement and the build-up to the final Ashes Test. Hosts Lou and Josh are joined by Victorian spinner Todd Murphy to discuss team selection and pitch conditions. Khawaja's nearly hour-long retirement press conference is a central topic, where he detailed experiencing racism as a child and his family's early struggles in Australia. He recalled seeing Michael Slater arrive at the SCG in a red Ferrari, which inspired his dream. The hosts note Khawaja will finish with 88 Tests, having played 44 before and 44 after a significant dropping during the 2019 Ashes. Khawaja mentioned considering retirement over the past two years but chose this moment, with tours to Bangladesh and South Africa ahead. He revealed a conversation with coach Andrew McDonald around last year's Boxing Day Test, where McDonald urged him to continue, leading to a masterful 232 in Galle. The hosts list Khawaja's seven official droppings, plus two other contentious non-selections, nearly reaching a "nine lives" total. A memorable insight is Khawaja's belief that his journey required him to work harder and score more runs than others to overcome barriers. The episode includes an audio clip of Khawaja's emotional speech thanking his family, particularly his wife Rachel and his brothers for their support. The curator, Adam Lewis, plans to leave six millimeters of grass on the SCG pitch despite recent seam-friendly conditions elsewhere. Selection debates cover potential changes, with Cameron Green's spot under discussion and Bo Webster or Michael Neser as possible replacements. For England, injuries to Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood may open the door for Matthew Potts. Todd Murphy discusses his pathway, having represented both NSW and Victoria at junior levels before committing to Victoria. Murphy reflects on missing the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, quickly realizing the pitch didn't suit a spinner. He shares a challenging experience bowling in humid conditions in India, where sweat made gripping the ball difficult. The tone is conversational and analytical, blending emotional reflection on a career with technical cricket discussion. This episode will appeal to fans interested in Khawaja's legacy and the tactical nuances of Test selection. Listeners seeking purely match-day action or narrative drama might find the detailed curator and selection talk less engaging.

As heard by us

Khawaja's farewell and Murphy's spin case give the Sydney dead-rubber Test its edge.

This episode treats Sydney as more than a final-Test stop, with the result sitting in the background while the farewells and selection talk take the lead.

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Why you'd press play

You want Khawaja's farewell, Murphy's spin chat, and the SCG build-up in one sit-down.

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