Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has stunned the cricket community by announcing his immediate retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket.
The 35-year-old’s decision comes as a surprise, particularly since he was initially included in Australia’s provisional squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan.
Stoinis stated his intention to focus on T20 cricket moving forward. Cricket Australia (CA) has confirmed that Stoinis will remain available for selection in T20Is.
His retirement from ODIs brings his 10-year, 71-game career to an end and means CA will need to name a replacement in the Champions Trophy squad.
Stoinis’s Statement
In a statement released by Cricket Australia, Stoinis expressed his gratitude for his time in ODI cricket.
“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. 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. I’ll be cheering the boys on in Pakistan.”
Career Highlights
Stoinis made his ODI debut against England in 2015. A memorable moment in his career was his incredible innings of 146 not out against New Zealand in Auckland in 2017, where he also took three wickets.
He was also a key member of Australia’s 2023 ODI World Cup-winning squad. Stoinis concludes his ODI career with 1495 runs and 48 wickets. He was also named Australia’s One Day Player of the Year in 2019.
Team Impact and Possible Replacements
Stoinis’s sudden retirement creates a void in the Australian squad, especially given existing injury concerns. Mitch Marsh has already been ruled out of the Champions Trophy, and there are doubts surrounding key pacers like Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
Possible replacements for Stoinis in the squad include Spencer Johnson, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Sean Abbott. Australia great Ricky Ponting suggested uncapped all-rounder Mitchell Owen should be considered for the Champions Trophy.
Coach’s Reaction
Australian men’s Head Coach Andrew McDonald acknowledged Stoinis’s contribution to the team:
“Stoin has been such a pivotal part of our ODI setup for the past decade. Not only has he been an invaluable player but also an incredible person to have in the group…He should be congratulated on his ODI career and all of his achievements”.
