Marcus Stoinis hit an unbeaten 124 as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) chased down a target of 211 with six wickets and three balls to spare against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday.
It was Stoinis’ first IPL century and his second in T20 cricket, trumping an unbeaten 108 by CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Stoinis, who was adujudged the player of the match, said he didn’t want to start hitting from the word go but added that the shortest format of the game is changing.
“In these competitions, there are plenty of better opening batters better than me so I’ll leave it to them. 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 (Nicholas) Pooran could come in and take the pressure off,”
“Lots of ebbs and flows, just tried to keep it in control. You’re planning and structuring, you’re not liking certain bowlers and you’re liking others more. I do think T20 cricket is changing, the scores that have been scored, the impact player role and how teams are taking on the bowlers,” he added.
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‘knew long ago’ about Australia contract axe
Stoinis also said he knew in advance about his omission from the Cricket Australia contract list, but will be keen to play the T20 World Cup in June.
The all-rounder, along with Ashton Agar, was left out of the new list of contracts for 2024-25 after 23 players were awarded deals by the country’s cricket board last month.
“I’ve got a great relationship with the coach, me not getting a contract, I knew that long ago,” Stoinis said after he hit a match-winning unbeaten 124 for Lucknow Super Giants against Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
“It’s great to let the kids come in and get an opportunity, I’m happy to let them take my spot.”
Up and coming fast bowler Xavier Bartlett was rewarded with a contract for the first time after playing just one T20 international and two ODI matches for Australia in February.
However Stoinis remains hopeful of going to the West Indies and the United States for T20’s showpiece event starting June 1.
“But on the playing front, I’d like to play and contribute,” said Stoinis.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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