Spin hasn't played much of a role in the ongoing Ashes, but offspinner Todd Murphy is hopeful that won't be the case in the final Test of the series, set to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground, a venue that has historically supported spinners.

While England have resisted the temptation of playing their frontline spinner, Shoaib Bashir, in the four Tests so far, Nathan Lyon too has had only a limited role to play for Australia. However, with Lyon out injured and SCG promising an opportunity for Murphy, the offspinner has reasons to believe that he will have a big role to play in a home Test.

"I don't think going into the series there was ever that planning or idea that spin wouldn't play a role," Murphy said on Thursday. "I think it's sort of just been how it's eventuated. I think it'll evolve from year to year. Next year it could be completely different."

Murphy has picked 22 wickets in 7 Tests so far, all of which have come away from home. His last appearance for Australia came in February 2025 at Galle. At home, since making his debut in February 2023, he has had to wait his turn with Lyon leading the spin department.

But that wait hasn't come as a surprise for him.

"[When I made my debut] I probably understood back then it was never going to be linear for me. I was never going to keep my place in the team when Nathan came back and I was always going to have to go back through Shield cricket and keep developing.

"At that stage I was only 23 so I still felt like I had a long way to go to be at my best. I still feel like I'm trying to discover that as well and continuing to get better. It's been a couple of years there where I've just been working away and trying to find the best version of myself."

Murphy might finally get that chance to lead Australia's spin attack in the fifth Test. Even as there isn't much to read from the surface as yet, Murphy is expecting some help, a knowledge he takes from playing for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League.