Injury scare for Australia in 2019 World Cup: Details here
The Australian cricket team has been served a major blow ahead of the clash against Pakistan in match number 17 of the ICC World Cup 2019. Star all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who played a role in each of the three outings for Australia so far, has been ruled out of Wednesday's encounter. Here's more.
Stoinis suffers from side strain
Decision to be made on Stoinis soon
The Australian team will take a decision on Stoinis in the next few days. There is hesitation ringing from the fact that ICC rules don't allow an injured player to return, if he has been replaced. If the all-rounder shows positive signs, then one will see him be a part of the squad. If not, then Mitchell Marsh will replace him.
Why was Mitchell Marsh selected as the cover for Stoinis?
Marsh was given the nod as Stoinis' cover. He was actually set to tour the United Kingdom anyway for Australia A. There is a series of five games against various County sides before turning the attention towards red-ball cricket as a preparation for the Ashes.
Is Marsh the ideal replacement for Stoinis?
Can Marsh fill up the void if Stoinis is ruled out for the rest of the World Cup? This is a big question. The all-rounder last featured in ODI cricket against England in January 2018. Since then, injuries and poor form saw him being left out of the squad. Marsh has 1,428 runs in 53 ODIs, besides claiming 44 scalps.
Stoinis has taken four wickets in WC 2019
Marsh was a member of the Australian side that won the 2015 edition of the World Cup. This is also a factor that the management is taking into consideration. As far as Stoinis is concerned, he has picked up four wickets in CWC 19. The promising player is Australia's fourth pacer in the XI. It remains to be seen who replaces him against Pakistan.
Not exactly sure on how many games he'll miss: Finch
"Not exactly sure on how many games he'll miss. That's why Mitch is flying over. It's still being assessed. And over the next couple of days we'll have a clearer picture," said Aaron Finch as per a report in ESPN.
