Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis was ruled out of the remainder of the five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka with a side strain. He suffered the injury while batting in the first ODI on Tuesday (June 14). He contributed 44 runs off 31 balls in Australia's two-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first ODI.
Stoinis joined Australia’s growing list of injuries in Sri Lanka, with Mitchell Starc still recovering from the badly cut finger that he suffered in the first T20I, while Mitchell Marsh is also recovering from the calf injury.
Apart from the duo, Kane Richardson was already ruled out of the ODI series with a hamstring strain, and all-rounder Sean Abbott is also recovering from a broken finger. On the other hand, Ashton Agar's availability remains doubtful due to a side strain issue.
Given the number of injuries in the touring camp, Travis Head and the uncapped left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann have been called up from Australia A squad ahead of the second ODI against Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Thursday, June 16.
Pat Cummins said of the injuries at the side: “All the planning was going to be for a perfect preparation, we had the Aussie A team over here, a big squad, but there were always going to be things that crop up,” Cummins added, “It's not ideal, the number of injuries, but we will strike that balance.”
The Test skipper added, “Scott Boland has come in, hopefully, Starcy (Mitchell Starc) will be back soon, Mitch Marsh back bowling, Cam Green back bowling. It feels like we still have plenty of options.”
On being about a new $6.2 billion mega-deal for the broadcast rights for the IPL, Cummins said that it was "great for the game". He signed off by saying, “It shows millions and millions of fans are out there that love watching cricket.”
(With AFP Inputs)
