'It is harsh' - Ricky Ponting reacts to Marcus Stonis' snub from Australia squad

Australia named their 15-member squad for the upcoming white-ball tour of South Africa where they will lock horns with Quinton de Kock-led Proteas in three One-day Internationals and as many Twenty20 Internationals. Glenn Maxwell, who last played for Australia back in October before taking a break from the T20I series against Pakistan to address his mental health issues, has made a return to the set-up in both T20Is as well as in the ODIs.

Maxwell, who last played a One-day International back in July last year, was dumped from the 50-over set-up for the recently concluded ODI series against India following a lean World Cup campaign. The all-rounder forced his way into reckoning thanks to his whirlwind form for the Melbourne Stars in the ongoing Big Bash League.

But, while Maxwell made his comeback into the ODI team, another all-rounder who was dumped for the same reason as in the case of Maxwell and someone who has emerged as the best batsman of the ongoing BBL season- Marcus Stoinis- has seen himself upstaged by a certain Mitchell Marsh in both the T20I and ODI set-up.

“Stoinis unlucky to miss out”: Ricky Ponting

Stoinis inclusion has surprised both fans as well as pundits and that includes former captain Ricky Ponting who termed the all-rounder as “unlucky” to miss out from selection.  However, the former captain urged Stoinis to use this snub as a drive to force his way back into the team on the sheer weight of runs.

“He’s unlucky on the back of being in sensational form, Stoinis, but all he can do is keep scoring runs and keep throwing his name up there for selection. It is harsh on Stoinis but he has just got to keep performing,” Ricky Ponting was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

However, ‘Punter’ also feels that continuity is important in T20 cricket and Australia might not make too many changes to the squad that was picked today.

“I just don’t think there was room for both Stoinis and Mitch Marsh in those squads and they’ve decided to go with Marsh,” Ponting said. Continuity in the T20 team is really important and I don’t think there will be too many changes to that squad picked today ahead of the T20 World Cup,” he added.

Meanwhile, Australia will kickstart their tour of South Africa with three T20Is on 21st, 23rd and 26th February before the One-dayers kick in on 29th February where the Aussies will look to avenge the 0-5 drubbing they suffered at the hands of the Proteas back in 2016.

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