Follow UsFinally, Marcus Stoinis returns to Australia’s 14-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against New Zealand. Stoinis makes a timely return ahead of the T20 World Cup that will be played in India and Sri Lanka, having not made an international appearance since November 2024.
The 36-year-old all-rounder was out of central contract and retired from the 50-over format before the 2025 Champions Trophy in Dubai. Along with Stoinis, Mitch Owen, Matthew Short, and Xavier Bartlett also return to the setup, as Australia continues to be without Pat Cummins.
Cummins has been ruled out of both the New Zealand and India series, as scans revealed 'a level of lumbar bone stress' to the back. The all-rounder now also remains in major doubt for the first Ashes Test against England.
Stoinis will have a jam-packed middle-order to contend with, given how the trio of Glenn Maxwell, Tim David and Mitch Owen were all in form over the last six months. The first of the three-match T20I series begins on October 1 (Wednesday) in Mount Maunganui.
Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa