Delhi Capitals all-rounder Marcus Stoinis will head to the IPL after being named as the Big Bash League’s player of the tournament.
Stoinis secured the most votes from match umpires to take the honour ahead of England duo Tom Curran and Alex Hales.
The votes were cast at the end of the 56-game home and away league stage of the tournament. The Melbourne Stars player topped the run-scorer charts by bagging 607 runs. That included a brilliant unbeaten 147 against Sydney Sixers.
Stoinis, who was not retained by RCB, could prove a big pick for the Capitals as they go in search of IPL glory.
Stoinis delighted to take award
Stoinis is pleased to bag the player of the tournament award for his performances for Melbourne Stars.
“I’m honoured to have been voted as the Big Bash League Player of the Tournament,” he told cricket.com.au.
“I love playing for the Melbourne Stars. This team is special to me and I love having the opportunity to run out onto the field with them.
“We’ve got a big match against the Sydney Thunder on Thursday night. I hope to see our Team Green fans at the MCG to help get us over the line.”
The Stars will now face Sydney Thunder on Thursday for a place in the BBL final. Sydney Sixers already await the winner of that contest.
Australia disappointment
However, despite starring in the BBL, it wasn’t enough to earn Stoinis a recall for Australia.
He has missed out on a place in the national side’s ODI and T20I squads for the tour of South Africa.
His six-month exile continued as the selectors chose Glenn Maxwell after an absence due to mental health issues.
Marnus Labuschagne also kept his place in the ODI squad after doing well in India.
On the Maxwell decision, national selector Trevor Hohns said: “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.
“Glenn was one of the first picked in the most recent T20 team at the start of the summer, prior to his break from the game.”
