Australia pick big-hitting all-rounder for New Zealand T20Is, opens World Cup dialogue

Marcus Stoinis has been included in a 14-member Australia squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand. His return, besides that of Matthew Short, Xavier Bartlett and Mitch Owen, improves his case for a berth in next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Australia T20 squad v New Zealand: 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.

The 36-year-old Stoinis has not possessed a central or state contract over the year gone by and last featured for Australia in November 2024. He retired from ODIs in February this year but has partook in the global T20 arena, playing key roles for Punjab Kings in the IPL and Trent Rockets in The Hundred, with both teams advancing to the finals.

In order to make an entry into the World Cup squad, Stoinis will have to ward off competition for a middle-order allrounder’s role, with Cameron Green, Tim David and Owen all jostling for similar spots. Green will skip the New Zealand series to focus on Sheffield Shield cricket in preparation for the home Ashes. Owen returns to the mix after missing the final T20I and subsequent ODI series against South Africa due to concussion.