Australia’s all-rounder, Marcus Stoinis, faces uncertainty over his participation in the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2023 opener against India due to a hamstring injury he sustained during a one-day international against the hosts last month. Coach Andrew McDonald provided insights into Stoinis’ condition and the team’s approach to managing the injury.
The 34-year-old Stoinis experienced discomfort after Australia’s first game of the series against India, which they eventually lost 2-1. This injury setback forced him to miss two crucial warm-up matches, leaving his availability for the World Cup opener in Chennai in doubt.
According to Andrew McDonald, Stoinis’ hamstring trouble emerged following the match in Mohali. He explained, “He pulled up a little bit sore from that game, and then further investigation obviously led to that being a slight hamstring, and then he’s just rehabilitating.” While Stoinis hasn’t been definitively ruled out of the opening game, the team’s cautious approach during practice games reflects their commitment to his recovery.
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Andrew McDonald emphasized the importance of the next few days, stating, “It’ll be touch and go for game one. He hasn’t certainly been ruled out of that but we weren’t prepared to risk him in those practice games. So he’s being probably slow played a little bit with the view to these next couple of days being really important for him to press for selection for game one. We’ll see how it unfolds.”
Stoinis is one of five all-rounders in the Australian squad, each expected to play pivotal roles in the team’s pursuit of a sixth World Cup title. Additionally, the workload of their specialist spinner, Adam Zampa, is also being carefully managed ahead of the tournament.
Moreover, Australia is monitoring the recovery of opening batsman Travis Head, who suffered a fractured hand. An official update on Head’s condition is expected next week, providing clarity on his potential return to the squad.
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Until then, Head will continue training and preparing himself as best as possible, in hopes of rejoining the team in the near future. As the World Cup approaches, Australia faces the challenge of managing player injuries and ensuring their top performers are fit and ready for the tournament’s demanding schedule.
