Taunton: Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has been ruled out of Wednesday's match against Pakistan with a side strain. Though he has not been ruled out of the World Cup, Cricket Australia sent Mitchell Marsh to England to cover injured Stoinis.
Also Read: Dhawan ruled out of the 2019 World Cup
According to reports, Stoinis picked up the side strain during Australia's match against India at The Oval. The final call on his availability in the World Cup will be taken once he undergoes a fitness test before the Pakistan match.
Now, due to Stoinis' injury, Australia will have to find out a replacement for Pakistan match from their reserve bench which is comprised of Shaun Marsh, Kane Richardson, Jason Behrendorff and Nathan Lyon.
Though CA has not ruled Stoinis out of the tournament, it is learned that he suffered a serious injury. However, Australia didn't rule him out from the tournament as ICC rules state that a player ruled out of the World Cup can't be added back to the squad.
Marsh, who was dropped from Australia's contract list for the 2019-20 season due to a poor season, last played an ODI in January 2018.
Also Read: 2019 World Cup | Dinesh Karthik to play against New Zealand: Sources
However, his departure from Australia was fast-tracked to allow the team the option of a back-up all-rounder should Stoinis be ruled out of the tournament.
Though Marsh was replaced by Stoinis in Australia's ODI plans, he is still on their radar for the red-ball cricket. He ended his Sheffield Shield season with a century and earned a spot in Australia's 14-member four-day side which set to tour England in July.
