Marcus Stoinis Targets Changing The Dynamic Of His Gameplay

Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis returned to the national set-up ahead of a high-profile limited-overs tour of England. Not only it would be Australia’s first international fixture in more than three months, but Marcus Stoinis will also don the national colours for the first time in more than a year. Now back in the squad, the all-rounder aims to alter the nuances of his batting.

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Marcus Stoinis underwent a forgettable 2019 World Cup campaign in which he managed only 87 runs in eight games at 14.50 as the sole pace-bowling all-rounder. As a result, Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell faced an axe for the white-ball tour of India and South Africa. However, in between, the 31-year old bounced back with 705 runs in a record-breaking Big Bash League season for the Melbourne Stars, topping the run-scoring charts. He also struck a high score of 147 during the tournament.

Marcus Stoinis revealed that there were a few little changes he has made, significantly to move around the crease to alter the dynamic of his batting. The Western Australian stated that he has introduced such tweaks to get off strike or understand what the bowler is trying to deliver. Accordingly, Stoinis aims to manipulate the field to find the boundaries.

“There were a few little changes – I was more willing to move around the crease a little bit and create a few options and change the dynamic of the game. I’m quite a structured individual and a structured player. That’s a small thing I’ve changed.

“It might be early in the innings or might be more to get off strike, if I get an idea by reading the bowler of what they are trying to bowl, being able to manipulate the field and pick spots where I want to hit boundaries,” Stoinis stated as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

Marcus further said that he modified his game that way early in his career when as a young player, he was not afraid to take risks. He looks to introduce those once again to achieve better results.

“It’s something I did a bit earlier in my career when playing for Australia, being younger you are a bit more carefree and looking to take risks. I went away from that a bit so probably something I can bring back into my game,” the 31-year old added.

Marcus Stoinis admits getting frustrated of not earning a recall earlier:

The 31-year old remarked that not earning a recall for the tour of South Africa despite a successful BBL season was frustrating. At the same time, Marcus Stoinis understands there are many players in the queue, who feel that way; hence, it’s essential to keep performing. He feels delighted to don the Australian colours again and be with the squad.

“It can be frustrating when you feel like you’ve got results on the board and you don’t get rewarded. But in the same breath, there’s probably five, six, seven players who feel the same way. So you don’t get too carried away with it, you just keep doing your thing. I didn’t know how long it would take to get back… it’s a nice reward to be back in the squad,” he said further.

Stoinis was part of Pat Cummins’ eleven as they square off in an intra-squad practice match against Aaron Finch’s eleven. In pursuit of 151, the all-rounder opened with Matthew Wade and got his side off to a rollicking start, smashing 60 within six overs.

Unfortunately, rains interrupted and abandoned the game. The first of the three T20Is against England gets underway on the 4th of September in Southampton.

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