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'Rocks in their heads': BBL's best snubbed as Mitchell Marsh earns Australia recall

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
·3-min read

Fans have been left dumbfounded at the exclusion of the Big Bash’s best performer and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis from the ODI and T20 squad touring South Africa.

Marsh and Glenn Maxwell have both won recalls to Australia's one-day and Twenty20 squads but Stoinis, on the day he was named the BBL's player of the tournament, has been overlooked for both.

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"Marcus Stoinis is a stand-by player for each squad and was unlucky to miss out due to the make-up of the current top order," selector Trevor Hohns said in a statement on Tuesday.

"It is terrific to have a back-up player of his calibre in such good form."

Marcus Stoinis (pictured left) was snubbed from the ODI and T20 squad, while Mitchell Marsh (pictured right) earned a recall. (Getty Images)
Marcus Stoinis (pictured left) was snubbed from the ODI and T20 squad, while Mitchell Marsh (pictured right) earned a recall. (Getty Images)

Fans were left puzzled to how the BBL’s premier player in 2019/20 could be left out of the squad.

Marsh last featured in an Australia side in the Ashes series last September - he hasn't played an ODI since January 2018 or a T20 international since October 2018.

Maxwell last played for Australia in October before taking a break from cricket, citing mental health issues. He returned to action in the BBL for the Melbourne Stars.

"It is fantastic to have Glenn back in both squads given his brilliant form in the middle order for the Stars, along with his results with the ball," Hohns said.

"The same can be said for Mitch.

"He has been in tremendous touch with the bat for the (Perth) Scorchers since his return from injury and is now back bowling well.

Glenn Maxwell bats during the Big Bash League match between the Sydney Sixers and the Melbourne Stars at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 20, 2020 in Sydney, Australia.
Glenn Maxwell bats during the Big Bash League match between the Sydney Sixers and the Melbourne Stars at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 20, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

"His performances warranted inclusion in the area he operates as a powerful middle order batsman and handy bowler."

Pacemen Sean Abbott and Jhye Richardson have been summoned into the T20 squad and Matthew Wade is included in both the ODI and T20 squads.

WA's Ashton Turner has been dropped from the ODI squad after failing to fire in last month's three-game series in India.

Australia will play three T20s against the Proteas - on February 21, 23 and 26 - before three one-dayers on February 29, March 4 and March 7.

Australian squads:

One-day: Aaron Finch (capt), Alex Carey (joint vice-capt), Pat Cummins (joint vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

T20: Aaron Finch (capt), Alex Carey (joint vice capt), Pat Cummins (joint vice-capt), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

With AAP