Australia skipper Pat Cummins said that there are still doubts over Marcus Stoinis’ availability for their opening match of the World Cup against India in Chennai on Sunday. Stoinis has sustained a hamstring injury and Cummins suggested that it’s touch and go for his chances to make it to the playing XI and they will put him through his paces in the next few hours before taking a final call.
“We’ll announce a team tomorrow at the toss. Stoinis, yeah, still touch and go. He’s going to have a run out soon, but probably up against it. He’s got to jump through a few hoops. Yeah, we’ll see,” said Cummins on Saturday during his pre-match press meet.
Stoinis has a rich experience of playing in Indian conditions as he has been a consistent performer in the cash-rich Indian Premier League over the years.
Cummins admitted that having an all-rounder in the squad is very important in the 50-over format and they are blessed to have an array of all-rounders who can step in for Stoinis.
“I think in one-day cricket more than any other formats you need all-rounders — you’ve got to try and find 50 overs.
“So, we feel really blessed to have people like Cam (Cameron) Green, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell in the side. They’re like gold. It means you can bat deeper so we feel in a really good place,” he said.
Cummins hoped that Mitchell Marsh would produce a big effort in the World Cup, as the Aussies search for their sixth World Cup triumph.
“First of all, just his size. He’s huge. He’s super powerful, can clear the ropes easily. He had an amazing T20 World Cup in 2021. He’s one of those guys that is intimidating to bowl to.
“Top of your mark, you look and it’s a big human on the other end and you know he can hit the ball a long way. Hopefully, you see plenty of that in this series,” he added.
Australia will enter the tournament after back-to-back series defeats against South Africa and India but they know how to turn up big in a World Cup.
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