ICC World Cup 2019: Fit Marcus Stoinis Is All Set to Return

Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis who was earlier suffering from a side strain has been recovered well, confirmed by the head coach Justin Langer. Even, he is expected to play the next game against Bangladesh in the ongoing ICC World Cup, saying “He has a chance.”

“We’ve been monitoring him,” said Langer on Stoinis. “He’s an elite athlete, he’s an elite professional.”

“He’s done everything possible to get himself fit. He wouldn’t give up the o pportunity for anything, would he? He’s determined, so it doesn’t surprise me with where he’s at now. It’s a credit to him, it’s a credit to the medical staff that are getting him up. So hopefully he can have a real impact on the tournament,” Langer shared.

Stoinis’ injury forced Australia to change their playing XI where either Glenn Maxwell or Aaron Finch had to finish the 10 overs. However, Maxwell did the job quite efficiently against Sri Lanka. However, the side did affect the balance but Australia have many players to take up the responsibilities.

“We’ve played really well with another (team) balance,” said Langer. “We played in India and Dubai with two spinners. I’m really confident with whatever balance we go in. It’s actually really exciting.”

“We said at the start of the tour that we’ve got lots of options, (we are) very adaptable and that’s our strength not our weakness. I get the sense some people think that’s our weakness. I actually think it’s our strength that we can play according to our opposition, we can play accordingly to grounds, we can play accordingly to managing players. That’s a strength, not a weakness,” the head coach further added.

However, Stoinis’ return to full fitness for the next game against Bangladesh means either Adam Zampa or Nathan Lyon has to sit outside. The surface of Trent Bridge where the game against Bangladesh will take place is a bit dry and the head coach shared Australia might add a spinner in place of the four pacers.

“That (playing four fast bowlers) might change…That was more brought upon us because Stoinis became injured,” said Langer. “It’s been wet, it’s been overcast, the wickets get a bit drier. This one (at Trent Bridge) looks dry. It might change when we get to Old Trafford, for example. We might look at playing two spinners if it’s a dry wicket. It’s good to have those options,” said the head coach.

Australia will now play against Bangladesh who have registered an emphatic win against West Indies on the back of a blistering century by Shakib Al Hasan and a quickfire knock by Liton Das.

“(Shakib is) probably the world’s best allrounder and a left-arm spinner,” said coach Langer while speaking about Shakib Al Hasan. “It was great of Ash to come down and great to have him here. This time last year he was in the Australian one-day side. One of our values is professionalism and (it’s beneficial) to draw on someone like Ashton Agar to come in and give us a like for like (spinner).”