Australia’s selectors are abiding with Marcus Stoinis’ absence and Mitchell Marsh’s unreadiness to bowl in order to keep the same formula that lifted the World Cup last year and set up a title defence on home soil this month.
Though Cameron Green cut a swathe through India’s bowling on the recent tour to press his case, Stoinis (side strain) and Marsh (ankle) are being given the maximum possible time to regain full fitness, even if it means captain Aaron Finch has to re-juggle the side in the meantime.
Marcus Stoinis has struggled with a side strain in recent weeks.Credit:Getty
Alongside Stoinis and Marsh, left-arm spinner Ashton Agar is also recovering from a side strain. As a consequence, Sean Abbott and Daniel Sams are a chance to figure as part of a five-bowler attack in addition to Green, even after the returns of David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Kane Richardson.
A move away from five bowlers to two allrounders among seven specialist batters was one of the key switches made by Australia in the leadup to last year’s surprise World Cup victory in the UAE, as Marsh and Stoinis each played vital roles.
“It’s not ideal I think in T20 cricket, we feel as though the flexibility of allrounders gives us that power with the bat but also some options with the ball when you throw Maxy [Glenn Maxwell] in there as well,” Finch said of the five bowler option on the eve of two matches against the West Indies in Queensland. “But it’s something to juggle.
“For the balance of the side, it’s better when [Stonis and Marsh] are both bowling. Because you can get caught a little bit short if you go in with five bowlers. But we’ll work that out.
“Five games plus the warm-up game against India [on October 17] I think is important that we keep making sure we’re giving ourselves enough options. The last thing you want is to be caught short in playing only one style of team or one strategy of team.“
Warner’s return at the top and Marsh’s at first wicket down also creates a further squeeze in the batting order, after Steve Smith and Tim David both played in India. Asked whether Smith and David were duelling for one spot, Finch hedged.
“It just depends on the way we want to structure the team,” he said. “I think Smudge has played a really important role for us, being flexible through the Powerplay or potentially sliding a little outside the Powerplay. That shows the depth of the squad and the strength of it, we’re happy to have those tough calls to make at various times.
“It’s never easy when you’re trying to balance the side, particularly when the allrounders aren’t fully fit at the moment.”
A little over three weeks since retiring from ODI matches after a barren run of scores in 2022, Finch indicated that not needing to spend 50 overs in the field anymore would likely allow him to extend his career as a T20 freelancer. Retirement from T20 internationals is expected after the World Cup, but that might also depend on how Finch, and the team, perform.
“It was something I’m in no way regretting,” he said. “The thought of fielding 50 overs doesn’t excite me anymore. Twenty overs is certainly exciting. I’m comfortable with the decision I’ve made and hopefully that’ll allow me to play a little more T20 for longer.”
West Indies, compelled alongside Sri Lanka to take part on the qualifying phase of the World Cup that starts in Geelong on October 16, have dropped Shimron Hetmyer after he missed planned flights to arrive in Australia after the end of the Caribbean Premier League. His place will be taken by Shamarh Brooks.
*Annabel Sutherland carved out 111 for Victoria against Tasmania at Junction Oval on Tuesday, her second century in three innings of the Women’s National Cricket League this season.
Despite the early loss of Makinley Blows and Ellyse Perry, the latter bowled not offering a shot to Heather Graham, Sutherland guided the hosts to 8-279, a tally that Tasmania were able to overhaul thanks to Elyse Villani and Nicola Carey.
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