Cricket Australia will release all-rounder Marcus Stoinis from the ODI squad in time for the Melbourne Stars’ BBL semi-final on Tuesday.
Stoinis was added to the Australian squad as an injury replacement for Mitchell Marsh ahead of the third one-day international earlier this month.
However, the 27-year-old will now be made available for the Stars’ clash against Perth Scorchers before re-joining the Australian team for the final ODI in Adelaide on Thursday.
The Stars’ Kevin Pietersen last week criticised CA for backflipping on a promise to release Stoinis for their last-start win over Sydney Sixers should he not play against Pakistan.
Stoinis was with the Australian ODI squad in a hotel room in Sydney when the Stars played at the SCG on Saturday night, and was at the time considered a chance of playing on Sunday.
But Stoinis wasn’t selected and was demoted to 12th man duties during the match.
Without Stoinis, Australia pummelled a disappointing Pakistan by 86 runs to take an unassailable 3-1 lead heading into the fifth one-dayer on Thursday.
David Warner was named man-of-the-match after clubbing 130 runs off 119 balls and then taking two classic outfield catches to deny Pakistan any hope of reeling in the 354 target.
He paid tribute to spin twins Adam Zampa and Travis Head, who combined for five wickets and are likely to combine again for the dead rubber at Adelaide Oval.
“Obviously not leaving it to Adelaide, which is great. The boys played fantastic,” Warner said.
“It was probably a better wicket to bat on then obviously to bowl on, but (our bowlers) changed their pace. They bowled well, they executed well, and we knew they always had to come hard.
“They knew we had to get 20 overs out of spin, they knew that was their time to attack. Credit to Zampa and Head, they both bowled well and took five wickets between them.”
Australia could opt to rest a number of stars for the final match against Pakistan, opening the door for Stoinis, James Faulkner and fast-bowler Billy Stanlake to be recalled.
Pat
Roar Rookie
Can he stay released from the squad thanks?
Don Freo
Guest
Who's the 5 then?
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I must say, there does seem like a bit of favouritism going on here with the Stars. So far in the ODI series, only two players have been released to play for their BBL franchise and both of them were Stars players. Why not release Khawaja to play for the Thunder when he was just sitting on the bench for the first ODI? I must admit, the fact they picked Zampa for the whole series knowing they were only going to play him in Sydney always seemed a bit overkill. But if Stoinis is going to be released for this game only to then rejoin the squad, when there's only one ODI left, so it's not like he's in the squad for the following ODI's, why aren't all players who's BBL franchise is still alive not allowed to go play for them before rejoining the squad for the final ODI?
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Wade plays for the Renegades not the Stars.
jameswm
Roar Guru
The BBL teams know when they sign players up that they may barely get them - eg signing up Smith or Warner, or Starc etc.
Don Freo
Guest
Yes...but one of them improves the Stars by not being there. Would Wade get a game? He scores slowly AND lowly. Behrendorff, Paris, NCN, Voges, Mitch Marsh...the top side should shoot down any excuses you were thinking of making.
JR
Guest
How many players do the Stars have on national duty? 5?
Felix
Guest
This issue is only going to become more prevalent as the BBL competes with backwater ODI series for players. Obviously for a player like Stoinis being called into the ODI squad is a huge career boost and good on him. I don't know the answer, but as a suggestion maybe have the ODI series starting a week later or schedule fewer games. Three would have been enough against Pakistan surely?