Shane Watson hopes for Marcus Stoinis to make Test debut

Marcus Stoinis has well and truly made a name for himself in limited-overs cricket for Australia. He has played 21 ODIs and 17 T20Is in which he has notched 721 and 128 runs respectively. Moreover, the all-rounder also has 18 and nine wickets in ODIs and T20Is respectively. However, he hasn’t made his Test debut yet, after making his international debut in 2015 against England in Cardiff.

The 29-year-old wasn’t included in the 13-man squad either, which is playing the four-match Test series against India. In the meantime, Shane Watson, the former Australian all-round cricketer, reckons Stoinis should make his Test debut sooner than later. Moreover, he remarked that he would be surprised provided Stoinis doesn’t go on to ply his trade in the most traditional version of the sport.

Watson praises Stoinis

“I think he’s a very skilled allrounder in all formats. In the end, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t have an opportunity to be able to play Test cricket for Australia at some stage. He’s a skilful guy, he’s a technically very sound four-day batsman as well as we’ve seen in one-day and T20 cricket, he’s a power hitter as well. I’ve got no doubt at some stage, he’ll get a (Test) opportunity,” Watson told cricket.co.au.

Watson’s comments came prior to Sydney Thunder’s match against Melbourne Stars at Manuka Oval in Canberra in the ongoing edition of the Big Bash League (BBL). Watson is the skipper of Thunders, while Stoinis set to play for the Stars. Stoinis developed an ankle injury while practising at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), but mentioned that he can play the event with the injury.

Apart from Watson, former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne also called for Stoinis’ inclusion in the Test squad prior to the second Test at the new Perth Stadium. Meanwhile, Australia announced the squads for the final two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney respectively, and Stoinis didn’t find a place as the hosts kept their squad unchanged.

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