Australia include Marcus Stoinis for Canberra Test: Australia have made a solitary change to their winning squad for the second Test.
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The Australian selectors have named uncapped all-rounder Marcus Stoinis in the Australian squad for the second of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Having won the first Test by an innings and 40 runs at Brisbane, Australia were not expected to name a change.
It is worth mentioning that the imminent Test will be the first one to be played at Manuka Oval, Canberra. Perhaps, it is the prevailing conditions over there which required Australia to include a fast-bowling all-rounder.
National selector Trevor Hohns pointed out the same in a statement which was released after the development.
So if stoinis plays who does’nt…a fast bowler or??
— jim maxwell (@jimmaxcricket) January 26, 2019
My Australia team for the 2nd Test.
Harris.
Burns.
Khawaja.
Labuschagne.
Head.
Patterson.
Stoinis.
Paine.
Cummins.
Richardson.
Lyon.#AUSvSL— Nathan Watson (@NathanW39506373) January 26, 2019
“The National Selection Panel has made the decision to add Marcus Stoinis to the Test squad for the second match against Sri Lanka in Canberra. We made the decision to add Marcus to give us the flexibility to play an allrounder in the event the conditions require an extra bowling option in the line- up,” Hohns was quoted as saying.
In four Sheffield Shield matches this season, Stoinis has scored 298 runs at an average of 42.57 and a strike rate of 66.07 including three half-centuries. With the ball in hand, the 29-year all-rounder has 10 wickets to his name which have come at an average of 25.20, an economy rate of 3.15 and a strike rate of 48.
Only two real options if he plays, Strac or Khawaja out. Labuschagne at 3 for Khawaja or Stoinis at 7 with Paine at 8 if it’s Starc out. Not sure why we didn’t have him in the squad before this game, weird bringing him in after one for only one game.
— Nathan Watson (@NathanW39506373) January 26, 2019
Stoinis has good numbers with bat and ball this summer and is in superb form right now. Good call. https://t.co/0qhBlVH4tT
— Luke D’Anello (@LukeDAnello) January 26, 2019
In the ongoing season of the Big Bash League, Stoinis is currently at No. 9 in the list of highest run-scorers. In seven matches for Melbourne Stars, he has scored 269 runs at an average of 67.25 and a strike rate of 129.95 including three half-centuries. He has also dismissed 10 batsmen at an average of 12, an economy rate of 7.05 and a strike rate of 10.2.
Stoinis’ rich current form was also highlighted by Hohns. “Marcus has been a consistent performer this season, he has displayed strong all round form in first-class cricket and continued that form into the Australian ODI series against India,” he added.
Opening batsman Matt Renshaw has been left out of the side to represent Brisbane Heat in the BBL.
