NEWS
Follow UsMarcus Stoinis isn’t too worried about missing out on a Cricket Australia contract for 2024-25 but wants to keep playing for his national side and feature in the upcoming T20 World Cup in June in the West Indies and the USA.
Stoinis, along with Ashton Agar, was left out of the new list of contracts for 2024-25 after the country's cricket board awarded deals to 23 players last month.
The fast-bowling all-rounder, however, has made a stunning statement ahead of the 20-over showpiece event. Playing for Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League 2024, the 34-year-old smoked 124* off 63 deliveries to help his team chase down a target of 211 against Chennai Super Kings on April 23 (Tuesday).
Also read - Ice-cold Stoinis’ knock for the ages clobbers fortress Chepauk
The big man smashed 13 fours and six maximums, single-handedly winning the game for LSG. Stoinis has been a regular member of Australia's middle order in T20Is, featuring alongside Glenn Maxwell, Tim David and Matthew Wade.
"I've got a great relationship with the (Australia) coach (Andrew McDonald). Me not getting a contract, I knew that a while ago. I think it is great to give younger kids a crack and let them take my spot. I'm absolutely fine with that on the contract list,” said Stoinis.
“But on the playing front, obviously want to make sure that I'm there and that's also why it's so lucky for us and for me particularly to have this competition (the IPL), that's why I love it so much."
Stoinis picked his bowlers and didn’t go after someone like Matheesha Pathirana. He only scored 15 off 12 deliveries against him but was helped by Deepak Hooda, who hit CSK’s premier death bowler for 11 runs off five deliveries.
"It's not just go, go, and go. I guess it was ebb and flow the whole innings. There were some bowlers we wanted to target and some we played cautionary against. You always want to keep the balls and run rate in control, I guess. So, it was a really important innings that Nicky P played and Hooda's innings because for a while I felt like I couldn't hit a boundary."
Play Asli Fantasy on Cricket.com. Download the App Now.
