Family first for Stoinis

AT a time when Australian cricket is being challenged for what it stands for, Marcus Stoinis has a very clear vision of what his priorities are.

This time last summer the hulking all- rounder had been secretly pencilled in for a Test debut against England.

But on the eve of the Ashes, the rising star made a brave and selfless decision to take time away from the game, at a most critical time in his career, to be by his father’s death bed as he battled terminal cancer.

As he arrives in Sydney ahead of tomorrow night’s Twenty20 blockbuster against good friend Virat Kohli, and India, at a sold- out SCG, Test cricket remains the Holy Grail Stoinis is still yet to attain.

But the 29- year- old wouldn’t change a thing about passing up a baggy green for the love of his dad, Chris.

“Looking back on it, one thing that’s just a non- negotiable for me is sticking to my values and for me family is No. 1 and always will be,” said Stoinis, who has helped Crick- et Australia raise $ 202,000 and counting in his father’s memory for men’s health charity Movember. “It was a reasonably easy decision to make even though there was a lot of emotion going on.

“It’s nice to reflect and to know that I was there with my dad as much as possible during those times.”

Now in a side struggling with its identity post Cape Town, Stoinis has brought life back to Australian cricket, and been christened with the nickname “Hulk” by Shane Warne for his fervent wicket- taking celebrations.

So competitive was Stoinis as a young kid in Perth, he once challenged childhood friend and Formula One champion Daniel Ricciardo to a 10- set tennis match.

Stoinis’s parents got called into school meetings to face teachers desperate to “calm him down”. Losing his father 12 months ago has changed Stoinis as a person.

• For the result of last night’s T20 match between Australia and India visit townsvillebulletin. com. au