Marcus Stoinis Lands Chance to Bid for T20 World Cup Squad

CricDiary: Marcus Stoinis has landed an opportunity to strengthen his case for a spot in the T20 World Cup after earning a recall for Australia’s three-match series against New Zealand. However, Spencer Johnson’s hopes of stepping in as a replacement for Mitchell Starc appear slim, with the left-arm pacer unlikely to return from injury until early next year.

Stoinis reached an agreement with the selectors to skip the series against West Indies and South Africa to participate in The Hundred. He, however, remains firmly in contention for the World Cup. Stoinis rejoins a side that will be without Cameron Green, who will instead feature in the opening Sheffield Shield competition, as part of his comeback.

Nathan Ellis, a key member of Australia’s T20I pace attack, will also miss the New Zealand tour as he awaits the birth of his first child.

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Stoinis is likely to compete for a middle-order finisher’s role. His medium pace, often used with the new ball, adds valuable flexibility. Mitchell Starc is confirmed to miss the tournament. Mitchell Johnson, who had been earmarked as his white-ball successor after taking 14 wickets in eight T20Is, will remain sidelined for the rest of the year because of a back injury sustained during the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Australia T20I squad vs New Zealand: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa