Who is Marcus Stoinis?
A cricketing profile of the Australia allrounder who nearly pulled off an incredible chase of 287 in Auckland, after chipping in with three wickets
Brydon Coverdale
30-Jan-2017
In his two previous international games, Marcus Stoinis had scored only 14 runs • Getty Images
A top-order batsman
He might have scored his remarkable ODI hundred from No.7 in the batting order, but Stoinis is a batting allrounder who has spent most of his domestic career near the top of the order. In his first two first-class matches he opened the batting, and since then has generally slotted in at No.3. In fact, the only times he has ever batted outside the top four in first-class cricket have come when playing for Australia A.
He might have scored his remarkable ODI hundred from No.7 in the batting order, but Stoinis is a batting allrounder who has spent most of his domestic career near the top of the order. In his first two first-class matches he opened the batting, and since then has generally slotted in at No.3. In fact, the only times he has ever batted outside the top four in first-class cricket have come when playing for Australia A.
A Western Australian
Victoria is where Stoinis has made his name, but he began his career in Western Australia, where he was born and raised. He debuted for Western Australia in 2009, but never really held down a spot in the state side and moved to Victoria, where he earned his first contract in 2013.
Victoria is where Stoinis has made his name, but he began his career in Western Australia, where he was born and raised. He debuted for Western Australia in 2009, but never really held down a spot in the state side and moved to Victoria, where he earned his first contract in 2013.
A man who learnt to believe in himself
When Stoinis moved to Melbourne, he signed with the Northcote Club and strong performances there earned him a call into the Victoria side. In 2015, the Northcote Club president told the Herald Sun of Stoinis: "Really he struggled from a mental approach more than a cricket thing. Now it's his biggest asset. His focus is phenomenal. It gets back to belief. He just believes there is no one in Premier Cricket who can get him out."
When Stoinis moved to Melbourne, he signed with the Northcote Club and strong performances there earned him a call into the Victoria side. In 2015, the Northcote Club president told the Herald Sun of Stoinis: "Really he struggled from a mental approach more than a cricket thing. Now it's his biggest asset. His focus is phenomenal. It gets back to belief. He just believes there is no one in Premier Cricket who can get him out."
A consistent performer
Since the start of 2014, only four men have scored more Sheffield Shield runs than Stoinis: Adam Voges, Michael Klinger, Cameron Bancroft and Peter Handscomb. In that time, Stoinis has made 1855 at 40.32, with three hundreds and 15 half-centuries.
Since the start of 2014, only four men have scored more Sheffield Shield runs than Stoinis: Adam Voges, Michael Klinger, Cameron Bancroft and Peter Handscomb. In that time, Stoinis has made 1855 at 40.32, with three hundreds and 15 half-centuries.
One of a good crop
Stoinis was part of Australia's team at the Under-19 World Cup in 2008. They might not have won the tournament but they certainly blooded a few future stars. Steven Smith, Phillip Hughes, James Faulkner, James Pattinson and Josh Hazlewood were also in the squad at that World Cup.
Stoinis was part of Australia's team at the Under-19 World Cup in 2008. They might not have won the tournament but they certainly blooded a few future stars. Steven Smith, Phillip Hughes, James Faulkner, James Pattinson and Josh Hazlewood were also in the squad at that World Cup.
An allrounder recalled
Before this Auckland match, Stoinis had played two internationals for Australia - an ODI and a T20, both during the 2015 tour of England. There was no evidence from those two matches to suggest an innings like this was on the cards, though: his aggregate in the two games was just 14 runs.
Before this Auckland match, Stoinis had played two internationals for Australia - an ODI and a T20, both during the 2015 tour of England. There was no evidence from those two matches to suggest an innings like this was on the cards, though: his aggregate in the two games was just 14 runs.
An IPL player
Stoinis might only just have made his name in international cricket, but the Kings XI Punjab were happy to sign him for INR 55 lakhs (approx. $82,000) last year. Stoinis played seven matches in the tournament and scored 146 runs at 36.50 and collected eight wickets at 24.25.
Stoinis might only just have made his name in international cricket, but the Kings XI Punjab were happy to sign him for INR 55 lakhs (approx. $82,000) last year. Stoinis played seven matches in the tournament and scored 146 runs at 36.50 and collected eight wickets at 24.25.
Brydon Coverdale is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @brydoncoverdale