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Cricket fans call out Justin Langer act after Marcus Stoinis' historic century in IPL

The Aussie all-rounder made the highest individual score in IPL history in a team batting second.

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·3-min read

Cricket fans are heaping praise on Justin Langer for a 'masterstroke' call to move Marcus Stoinis up the batting order before his match-winning century in the IPL. Stoinis smashed 124 not out off 63 balls as Lucknow Super Giants chased down Chennai Super Kings' total of 210 in the final over.

The Aussie all-rounder blasted six sixes and 13 fours for his first century in the IPL in nine seasons. It marked his second-highest score in T20 cricket - only behind an extraordinary 147 not out for Melbourne Stars against the Sydney Sixers in January 2020.

Marcus Stoinis and Justin Langer in the IPL.
Marcus Stoinis made a match-winning century after Justin Langer moved him up the batting order. Image: IPL

Stoinis brought up his century off 56 balls, but still needed 17 off the final over to win. He lofted the first ball over long-on for six, the second down the ground for four, and the third he slashed through the vacant third slip region for another boundary.

The third delivery was a no-ball, and Stoinis pulled the free hit for another four to win with three balls to spare. It marked the highest score in IPL history from a batter while chasing.

The match-winning knock comes at the perfect time, with the T20 World Cup less than six weeks away. It also comes after Cricket Australia didn't offer Stoinis a new central contract this season.

"I've a great relationship with the coach (Andrew McDonald), me not getting a contract - I knew that a while ago," he said after the game. "It is great to get young kids a spot and let them have a crack. I am absolutely fine with that on the contract front. On the playing front I want to make sure I am there. That why it is lucky for me to have this competition."

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Before Tuesday night's century, Stoinis had only made 130 runs in the tournament at an average of 21.67. Many have been calling for him to miss selection for the T20 World Cup, but his latest century will make him hard to overlook.

Stoinis' innings suggests he could be a top order option at the World Cup in the Caribbean and America, but he added: "There's plenty of better openers than me. It is nice to get in early and build an innings but I am also set there in the middle order."

Marcus Stoinis with teammates after his century in the IPL.
Lucknow Super Giants players celebrate with Marcus Stoinis after his century in the IPL.

Teammate Deepak Hooda, who made 17 off six balls in a partnership of 55 in 19 with Stoinis, said: "He played like a warrior. He is a kind of motivation to us." Chennai skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who made 108 in a losing side, said: "Tough pill to swallow, but good game of cricket. LSG played really well in the back end. We had the game in control until 13-14 overs, but Stoinis played a great innings."

Cricket fans were full of praise for Stoinis after the epic knock. But many were also quick to highlight Langer's decision to promote him in the batting order, which turned out to be pivotal.

with AAP