Australia suffered a major blow to their preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as their star all-rounder Marcus Stoinis left fans shocked with his immediate retirement from the ODI format just before the mega-event.
Stoinis announced his decision on Thursday morning, leaving Australia without another all-rounder following the injury of Mitchell Marsh which ruled him out of the upcoming tournament.
“Playing ODI cricket for Australia has been an incredible journey, and I’m grateful for every moment I’ve had in the green and gold,” Stoinis said in a statement.
“Representing my country at the highest level is something I’ll always cherish.
“This wasn’t an easy decision, but I believe it’s the right time for me to step away from ODIs and fully focus on the next chapter of my career.
“I’ve got a fantastic relationship with Ron [Andrew McDonald] and I’ve hugely appreciated his support.”
He concluded his statement by expressing support for the Australia cricket team, which is set to depart for Pakistan to participate in the Champions Trophy 2025.
“I’ll be cheering the boys on in Pakistan,” he said.
Marcus Stoinis was a member of the 2023 ODI World Cup-winning squad and played a crucial role with the ball against Pakistan, helping Australia recover from a poor start in the tournament ultimately leading them to victory.
However, he played only one more ODI after the World Cup, which was also against Pakistan earlier this season.
Last year, he did not receive a contract from Cricket Australia (CA), but he was expected to play a key role in the Champions Trophy due to the injury of Cameron Green and Marsh.
The retirement of Marcus Stoinis has presented another challenge for the Australian team management.
They will need to make several adjustments to their Champions Trophy squad, as Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out due to a back injury. Additionally, captain Pat Cummins is unlikely to participate, along with fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood.
READ: Aqib Javed defends Faheem, Khushdil’s selection in Champions Trophy squad
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