'Adonis' faces make-or-break fitness test

Dubbed 'Adonis' by teammates for his chiselled frame, Marcus Stoinis could live up to his mythological billing if he pushes through the pain barrier and plays a World Cup semi-final on Thursday with not one but two side strains.

Peter Handscomb says that if anyone could do it, it's Stoinis, who will be put through an intensive fitness test on Tuesday at Edgbaston two days out from Australia's knockout clash with England.

While he hasn't set the World Cup on fire with his performances, the strapping allrounder has been indestructible at this World Cup; he bowled six overs after suffering an uncomfortable left side injury in his first over against India last month and having been diagnosed with an injury that typically takes a month to recover from, he was back playing less than two weeks later.

Now carrying a right side strain sustained in Australia's defeat to South Africa, Stoinis didn't bat or bowl at training on Monday, but encouragingly participated in their running warm-ups and did some light throwing drills.

Mitch Marsh is on standby but the Aussies are set to give Stoinis every chance to prove his fitness.

"Have you seen the size of him?" recent call-up Peter Handscomb said of his former Victorian teammate.

"If there’s anyone that can pull through this, it’s the big fella.

"I think his mental strength to be able to shut off pain or outside noise and really just zone in on the moment is really impressive and I think that’s why he has gone so far and done so well with his cricket.

"Hopefully, for his sake, he can find a way through and play on Thursday.

"He’s an up-and-about character, and always ready for a laugh and having a joke about. He’ll be fine. Obviously, he’s doing everything he can to get ready. It’s basically in his court. We’ve just got to wait and see."

Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh have already been ruled out of the tournament with wrist and hamstring injuries respectively, but Handscomb is the only official addition to the 15-man squad so far.

Coach Justin Langer has indicated Matthew Wade would come in for Khawaja, but Mitchell Marsh could be drafted into the squad instead to play on Thursday, meaning Stoinis could be put on ice for the semi-final and recalled for the final on Sunday, should Australia make it.

Wade and Marsh trained for the first time with the World Cup squad on Monday after departing the Australia A side in Brighton.

Bowling coach Adam Griffith, a former fast bowler who played for Tasmania and Leicestershire, says he can’t remember anyone bowling with two side strains before.

He suggested the allrounder’s performance at training on Tuesday will matter more than the official diagnoses.

"He's pretty tough, Stoin. He's played with the left side (strain) through the tournament and he bowled seven overs against England in a row and got through it okay," said Griffith.

"Scans show things, but it will be more around his ability to perform. We'll have a good look at that tomorrow when he bowls – not only will it be on the pace and the GPS numbers but also his execution. We'll be able to make a pretty good assessment from there.

"It's pretty uncommon (to injure both sides), so I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes tomorrow. That's the best indication we'll have that he's not just fit to play, but fit to perform."

Handscomb, who played all 13 of Australia's ODIs this year in the lead-in to the World Cup before Steve Smith edged him out of the squad, insisted the loss of Shaun Marsh and Khawaja, plus the doubt over Stoinis, has not been disruptive.

The trio called in as cover have all been in good touch in recent Australia A 50-over games and, perhaps more importantly, have all played extensively at international level.

"For those two guys (Khawaja and Shaun Marsh) who have done so much to go down was pretty gut wrenching, but they’re very excited for us and that’s the camaraderie in this group," Handscomb said.

"The guys are a good bunch and both Mitch and I have played recently in one-dayers (for Australia) so we’ve been in and amongst the boys. And Wadey has been in and out (of the Australian team) for years.

"Everyone knows each other really well and we know as soon as you come in, we’re buying straight in to what the team needs.

"We’re all ready to go, we’ve been playing. It’s not like we haven’t been playing, we’ve had one-dayers here in the Aussie A stuff – it’s a good lead in. We’re ready to go."

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

June 1: Australia beat Afghanistan by seven wickets

June 6: Australia beat West Indies by 15 runs

June 9: Australia lost to India by 36 runs

June 12: Australia beat Pakistan by 41 runs

June 15: Australia beat Sri Lanka by 87 runs

June 20: Australia beat Bangladesh by 48 runs

June 25: Australia beat England by 64 runs

June 29: Australia beat New Zealand by 86 runs

July 6: Australia lost to South Africa by 10 runs

July 9: Semi-Final 1, India v New Zealand, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Australia v England, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

Sync Australia's World Cup schedule to your calendar HERE

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE