In-form Marcus Stoinis wants to focus on 2019 World Cup amidst calls for inclusion in Test side

Ever since the summer began, the calls to include Marcus Stoinis in the Test team has not stopped. The all-rounder, on his part, has been making sure that the calls do not die down with some absolute solid performances. His most recent big performance came on the New Year Day when he starred with the bat to fire Melbourne Stars to an impressive win over cross city rivals Melbourne Renegades.

The right-handed all-rounder scored an unbeaten 78 in the Melbourne Stars’ comfortable seven-wicket win over the Renegades in the ongoing Big Bash League. The 49-ball knock was studded with four boundaries and as many sixes. At a time when Australia’s Test team is struggling to even challenge India in the ongoing series, the calls to include the in-form allrounder in the team has grown by leaps and bounds. Legendary spinner Shane Warne has constantly endorsed for Stoinis to be included in the Test side.

“I think once the penny drops for Marcus Stoinis he can play for Australia in all forms for a long period of time,” Warne had told Fox Cricket. “I’ve been saying all summer he can play red-ball cricket and I don’t think it’s straight competition between him and Mitch Marsh. He can play as a batsman. He’s an absolute weapon.

What has further made many section endorse for Stoinis is the struggle of allrounder Mitchell Marsh? The younger of the Marsh brothers has been terribly out of form for quite some time now. He was not included in the playing eleven for the last two Tests but was given a surprise recall for the third Test in Melbourne. However, Marsh completely failed to perform, scoring 9 and 10 while going wicketless with the ball.

World Cup over Tests

But amidst all this, Stoinis has made it clear that he is currently focussed on the 2019 World Cup and not the Test team.

“It’s obviously great to have support, but equally you wouldn’t have to go far to find something negative as well,” Stoinis told cricket.com.au. “It’s good to have the good and the bad, it’s just the balance.”

Speaking more on his much-talked-about selection in the Test side, he said, “Then with Test cricket, Mitch Marsh is the allrounder at the moment. I mean, he was picked in the last Test team and the last Test tour.”

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