Melbourne Stars head coach David Hussey has suggested all-rounder Marcus Stoinis feature regularly in Australia‘s Test, ODI and T20I XIs.
Stoinis was named Player of the Tournament after the 2019-20 Big Bash League recently. He was the leading run-scorer in the competition, after the Stars lost to the Sydney Sixers in the final.
However, he was not selected for Australia's ongoing limited-overs tour in South Africa, which comprises three T20Is and as many ODIs. The Proteas and Australians are offered at 2.50 and 1.53, respectively, by bet365 to win the the third and final T20I at Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday.
“He's probably one of the best all-rounders going around in T20 cricket and probably the longer form of the game as well. If I were a selector of Australia, I think he'd be playing Test match cricket and ODI cricket and T20 cricket for Australia. He's that talented, he works hard, and is a great team man,” Hussey told ESPNcricinfo.
“Marcus is so adaptable. He plays in the middle for Western Australia in four-day cricket and one-day cricket and does very well for them. He's batted in the middle order for the Stars for a few years until he got cattle-prodded up to the top of the order, which he's excelled at.
“He's a great fielder, he's a great bowler, he's a great team man. Whatever the coach asks, he'll do it to the best of his ability and he would fit into any team and dressing room.”
Hussey in the IPL
Hussey will be head coach Brendon McCullum's assistant in the Indian Premier League later this year. Stoinis will play for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, while Stars team-mates Dale Steyn and Glenn Maxwell will represent the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab, respectively.
“We desperately need heroes back in the game. My kids, they love Glenn, they love Dale, so we want them playing in front of packed houses,” added Hussey.
Kolkata have won the IPL twice. The Mumbai Indians are the reigning champions – and have won the title four times. Mumbai will meet the three-time champions Chennai Super Kings in the opening fixture of the 2020 IPL.