Test-bound Stoinis exits Big Bash in style

Marcus Stoinis hasn't touched a red ball in seven weeks, but remains confident he’s ready to contribute if called upon after being elevated to Australia's Test squad in the midst of a stunning all-round KFC BBL hot streak.

Hours before the Melbourne Stars' KFC Big Bash match on Sunday, Stoinis faced a bowling machine designed to simulate what he may have to deal with against Sri Lanka this week, in a bid to refamiliarise himself with his batting routines in the longest format.

"I actually started a little bit before the game today," the 29-year-old said of his red-ball batting preparation. "Just a couple of swinging deliveries, rather than just straighter ones you're trying to slog."

It was an unconventional lead-in to a crunch clash with the Brisbane Heat, though it had no impact on his remarkable T20 form. 

Stoinis top-scored for the Stars with 43 in what proved a crucial opening stand with Ben Dunk, before returning 4-21 with the ball, with his clutch death-bowling performance helping the Stars somehow defend 8-134.

There's arguably no more in-form player in Australia; in this season's BBL, Stoinis has taken 14 wickets at the remarkable bowling average of 10 (the best in the competition), while he now 312 runs at 62 (an average second only to George Bailey).

National selector and head coach Justin Langer has flagged a strong likelihood of Australia retaining the same XI for Canberra's inaugural Test, fresh off an innings victory in the series opener against Sri Lanka last week.

And while Stoinis is staying cool on his chances of making his debut, he said the call-up was a big moment for those close to him.

"I've been in the Test squad before and not played, so I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch," said Stoinis. "I'm trying to just chill out a little bit. 

"But obviously it's a dream come true. It's a reward not only for me but my family, my friends, I've had a lot of messages of support. 

"It means as much to the people around me as it does to me."

Stoinis was out to dinner with a friend on Saturday evening when he received the news from selection chief Trevor Hohns that he was in line to make his Test debut on Friday. He'll join the squad in the nation's capital on Tuesday.

Backed for a Test berth by likes of Shane Warne and Shane Watson, the powerfully-built Stoinis is averaging 43 with the bat in the JLT Sheffield Shield this season but it's his bowling that has seen dramatic recent improvement.

Before this season, Stoinis had 120 wickets at 39 across all formats – respectable figures for a batting allrounder – but this summer he's gone to a new level, collecting 39 wickets at 19 including 10 scalps at 25 in this summer's Shield competition for Western Australia.

His strong numbers could bolster his selection case should Manuka Oval live up to its reputation as a batting haven and Australia decide they need bowling reinforcements for their specialists.

"I just think it's the fact I've had good opportunity to bowl," Stoinis said when asked about his bowling improvements. 

"I've been bowling a lot for WA in Shield games, I've been bowling a lot in the one-dayers, bowling a lot in my t20s. 

"In the past, (former Victoria captain) Matty Wade used to bowl me all the time, but I probably didn't bowl enough in the nets. 

"I'm just getting the ‘ks’ in the legs, learning my craft a bit more. I started bowling a bit later (in his career) so it's probably handy on the body but in terms of skill-wise, I'm still learning a few things."

Stoinis said his ankle, which he injured in a warm-up drill before a December Shield game and re-tweaked in the Stars' BBL game in Moe last week, wouldn't stop him from taking on a heavier bowling load if required.