Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis declared fit for the Champions Trophy

Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has been declared fit for the Champions Trophy 2017 as confirmed by Cricket Australia on Wednesday. The all-rounder had a glamorous restart to his international career with the Aussies, having already scored 146 against the Kiwis earlier this year. The Australian had injured himself in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) where he represents the Kings XI Punjab franchise, in the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore which subsequently ruled him out of the IPL.

Stonis then flew back directly to Australia to start his recovery process to get fit in the time ahead of the Champions Trophy in England at the National Cricket Centre, Brisbane. The all-rounder has been training alongside the injured left-arm quick Mitchell Starc, right-arm swing bowler Josh Hazlewood and wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, who was not picked up in the IPL Auctions.

Update on Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc is currently nursing the injury to his foot after being ruled out of Australia’s tour of India midway due to a stress fracture. The right-arm opening bowler Josh Hazlewood is also unpicked by any of the franchises in the IPL, after having played for the Mumbai Indians before in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Marcus Stoinis could not follow his International heroics with his IPL franchise, where he could only muster 17 runs and picking up two wickets before leaving the tournament injured. Australia would be wary of the all-rounders’ form, and there are chances that Moises Henriques would be picked up ahead of the Punjab all-rounder. For a brief period, the rumors of James Faulkner replacing the all-rounder was doing the rounds.

The all-rounder will now test his match fitness in the first warm-up game against the Islanders Sri Lanka on May 26 before another warm-up game against Pakistan on May 29. He will be a key asset to the team if deemed fit before the tournament opener.