Marsh flies to sub for Stoinis

Injury opening for forgotten all-rounder

FORGOTTEN all- rounder Mitchell Marsh boarded a plane to England last night and could replace Marcus Stoinis in Australia’s World Cup squad.

Stoinis, 29, suffered a side strain against India and has been ruled out of tonight’s clash against Pakistan.

The Aussies were last night weighing up whether to play Shaun Marsh or an extra bowler, most likely Jason Behrendorff or Nathan Lyon, in place of Stoinis in Taunton tonight.

Playing a fifth bowler would push wicketkeeper Alex Carey up to No. 6, while playing Marsh would require part-time spinner Glenn Maxwell to bowl 10 overs.

Mitchell Marsh will link with the squad in London tomorrow and is on standby as a decision looms on Stoinis’s fitness.

If Stoinis does not respond to treatment, selectors will be forced to make a permanent change to the 15-man squad.

The powerful all-rounder had a scan on Monday after suffering the injury while bowling his fifth or sixth over against India at The Oval on Sunday night.

Stoinis received treatment off the field during the match, allowing substitute fielder Nathan Lyon to take a catch, before returning to bowl two overs at the death.

Stoinis then made a secondball duck, the first time he has failed to score in his past 19 one-day internationals.

Australia’s lack of cover for Stoinis — he is the only medium-pacer all-rounder in the squad — means it can’t afford to have him sitting on the bench for many games.

If Stoinis is withdrawn from the tournament, it shapes as a double reprieve for the Marsh family.