Australia’s versatile cricketer Marcus Stoinis, 34, aims to keep playing for the national team. Despite not having a contract for 2024-25, he’s okay with youngsters securing spots. The Lucknow Super Giants all-rounder remains focused on representing his country.
Stoinis put up a standout effort in the IPL 2024 match against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Tuesday at Chepauk. With the Super Giants chasing 211 for victory, the seam-bowling all-rounder stepped in at No. 3 and hit an unbeaten 124 off 63 balls, stunning the reigning champions.
Marcus Stoinis spoke about the IPL and T20 World Cup. He talked after the match. Stoinis likes playing the World Cup. He thinks the IPL prepares him well. ESPN Cricinfo quoted him saying:
“I’ve got a great relationship with the [Australia] coach. Me not getting a contract, I knew that a while ago. I think it is great to give younger kids a crack and let them take my spot. I’m absolutely fine with that on the contract list. But on the playing front, obviously want to make sure that I’m there and that’s also why it’s so lucky for us and for me particularly to have this competition [the IPL], that’s why I love it so much.”
Marcus Stoinis
The undefeated 124 also marked the veteran’s first IPL century. Stoinis blasted a six and three fours in the final over as the Super Giants cruised to a comfortable victory.
“There was a phase where I wasn’t able to hit the boundaries” – Marcus Stoinis
With the Australian cricketer getting the Player of the Match award, he stated that it was a planned attack and thanked Nicholas Pooran for taking over when he struggled. The West Australian elaborated during the post-match presentation:
“It’s not just go go go, there were some bowlers we wanted to target and some bowlers we wanted to be more cautious against. There was a phase where I wasn’t able to hit the boundaries so it was great Pooran could come in and take the pressure off. Lots of ebbs and flows, just tried to keep it in control.”
The 34-year-old’s century also surpassed CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 108* as the reigning champions suffered their second consecutive defeat.