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Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis is facing an uncertain future as a hamstring injury casts doubt on his availability for Australia’s inaugural match in the World Cup 2023. The 34-year-old cricketer found himself sidelined during Australia’s recent white-ball games, leaving fans and team management concerned about his readiness for the upcoming tournament.
Australia’s head coach, Andrew McDonald, revealed the concerning news on Thursday, stating that Marcus Stoinis had encountered a hamstring issue during their ODI clash against India in Mohali last month. Alongside Travis Head, another prominent player facing injury, Stoinis’s participation in the World Cup opener against the hosts in Chennai remains uncertain.
McDonald emphasized that while Stoinis hasn’t been officially ruled out, the team has chosen to exercise caution by not fielding him in preparatory matches. He further noted that the subsequent training sessions will be crucial in determining whether Stoinis will be fit for selection in the opening game.
“He certainly hasn’t been ruled out of that, but we weren’t prepared to risk him in those practice games. We‘ve got the main session today and then another hit-out tomorrow, so he’ll go through his work there and we’ll see whether he’s available for selection for game one. These next couple of days (are) really important for him to press for selection for game one, and we‘ll see how that unfolds,” said McDonald while speaking to reporters.
Meanwhile, the much-anticipated World Cup match between Australia and India is set to take place on Sunday, October 8, at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Five-time champions Australia will look to commence their World Cup 2023 campaign against hosts India on a winning note, as a victory in this crucial encounter could significantly boost their confidence for the rest of the tournament.
