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Stoinis set for Stars' BBL season opener

Allrounder fit to play in Canberra after recovering from ankle injury sustained in Sheffield Shield

Melbourne Stars’ allrounder Marcus Stoinis has confirmed he is fit to take the field for his side’s KFC Big Bash League season opener in positive news for the injury-hit club.

Stoinis suffered ligament damage to his ankle during a warm-up drill while playing for Western Australia against Victoria in the JLT Sheffield Shield earlier this month.

While the injury prevented him from bowling in the second innings of that match, he showed his class with a knock of 85 with the bat to help WA secure a draw.

Stoinis smashes 85 against old side

Stoinis conceded his ankle was not yet 100 per cent but he is set to face Sydney Thunder at Canberra’s Manuka Oval on Friday night.

“It’s all good. I started bowling a couple of days ago and will have a good bowl today out in the nets and go from there,” Stoinis said on Wednesday.

“Just a little tear in the ligament, but it’s pulled up pretty well and was in a good spot if you were going to do one, so all good.

“I don’t think it’s healed, but it’s something I can play with. Apparently it will take three or four weeks to heal fully, but it’s something that as long as I’m managing it, it’s all good.”

Stoinis played four T20I matches for Australia last month – one against South Africa and three against India – and returned scores of five, 33no, four and 25no to go with a haul of 2-27 in the opening fixture against India.

The paceman also impressed with the ball in the ODI series against the Proteas, grabbing eight wickets in three games and making 63 in Hobart.

Stoinis will be a key figure for the new-look Stars, who have been devastated by injuries to Nic Maddinson, Seb Gotch and Dan Worrall, while Peter Handscomb is in Australia’s Test squad for the ongoing series against India. 

The Stars finished bottom of the ladder last season after claiming two wins from 10 matches and will start the tournament with three away fixtures before tackling Melbourne Renegades in a blockbuster MCG clash on January 1.

Stoic Stoinis' brilliant 99 gives Stars a glimmer

“We’ve got a few away games early, but it means also we’ll load up with some home games towards the end I think,” Stoinis said.

“It’s a good advantage if we start well, play well away from home, and then make the ‘G a fortress for ourselves, then we’ll play some finals.”

Stoinis was pragmatic after being overlooked for a spot in Australia’s squad for the last two Tests against India, pointing to the fact fellow allrounder Mitch Marsh is yet to play in the ongoing series.

The 29-year-old has represented his country 38 times in limited-overs matches but is yet to play a Test.

“You want to be playing, but obviously there’s no expectation,” Stoinis said.

“You’ve got no right to just select yourself, so you just wait to hear what’s going on.

“I know Mitch Marsh was in the squad before and he didn’t get the chance to play, so it makes sense that he’s still in the squad.”