Australia’s ODI squad has been dealt a major blow as all-rounder Marcus Stoinis announced his retirement from ODI cricket with immediate effect. The 35-year-old made the announcement on Thursday, stating that he would now be focusing solely on his T20I career, leaving Australia without his services for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
The announcement comes at a time when the Australian team is already battling a string of injuries ahead of the Champions Trophy, scheduled to begin on February 19 in Pakistan and the UAE. Key players, including all-rounder Mitch Marsh and pacers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, are in doubt for the tournament, adding pressure on selectors to find suitable replacements.
With up to four spots potentially opening up in the 15-member squad, players like Spencer Johnson, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Sean Abbott are expected to be in contention. Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has also endorsed 22-year-old uncapped all-rounder Mitchell Owen as a possible replacement, citing his similarities to Stoinis.
Stoinis leaves behind an impactful ODI career, having represented Australia in 71 matches, scoring 1,456 runs at an average of 26.69, including a century and six half-centuries. With the ball, he claimed 48 wickets at an average of 43.12, with his best bowling figures of 3/16.
Reflecting on his retirement, Stoinis said, “Playing ODI cricket for Australia has been an incredible journey, and I am grateful for every moment in the green and gold. This was not an easy decision, but I believe it is the right time to step away from ODIs and fully focus on the next chapter of my career.”
He assured fans that he would be supporting the team during the Champions Trophy, adding, “I will be cheering the boys on in Pakistan.”
Australia’s coach Andrew McDonald paid tribute to Stoinis, highlighting the impact he made throughout his ODI career. With Stoinis stepping away, the Australian team will be looking to fill a significant void as they gear up for a challenging tournament.
