Rodney Hogg is unhappy with the national selection of Marcus Stoinis

Aussie legend Rodney Hogg has slammed the selection of Marcus Stoinis for India, saying Stoinis doesn’t deserve to be in Victoria’s Sheffield Shield side. Stoinis was called in to replace the injured Mitch Marsh on Wednesday night, with many questioning the selection since he is averaging only 15 with the bat this season.

Hogg, who played 38 Tests for Australia, was surprised by Stoinis’ inclusion given his below average form. “Stoinis, what is going on there?” Hogg said on SEN Radio.

“He’s averaging about 15 for Victoria and they’re flying him over as a reserve to Marsh. He could play in a Test match and he’s averaging 15 for Victoria.

He further went on to say that had he been the chairman of selectors, he would have dropped him for the last two domestic games with Victoria too; let alone include him in the national team.

“If I was chairman of selectors I would’ve dropped him for the last two games with Victoria, and now he’s in the Australian set-up.

“You’re kidding me.”

Hogg reckons selectors pick Usman Khawaja to fill the vacancy left by Marsh, ahead of fellow fringe players Ashton Agar and Glenn Maxwell.

“They won’t go Maxwell, they’ll go Khawaja and he’ll bat at six,” Hogg said.

“But he’s not a number six batsman and it’s not right to drop Shaun Marsh down to six, that wouldn’t be fair on him.”

Hogg also gave the talks a sensational turn by revealing why Maxwell will be overlooked.

“Khawaja will come in at six, but that’s not the right spot for him. Maxwell should come in there, but he won’t because the captain doesn’t like him.”

The ex-paceman feels Australia need a fifth bowling option but selectors won’t go that way.

“We’ve now got so much confidence in (Steve) O’Keefe and (Nathan) Lyon that we’ll probably go into the next Test match without that fifth bowler,” Hogg said.

“They need Maxwell there just to roll out 10 overs.”