Marcus Stoinis has made a brilliant century, his first in nine seasons playing in the Indian Premier League, to lead Lucknow Super Giants to victory over Chennai Super Kings.
Facing Chennai’s discouraging 4 for 210, Lucknow lost opener Quinton de Kock without scoring, bringing Stoinis into the crease after three balls.
The 34-year-old took his time, played himself and then accelerated to beat the hosts off 124 balls, not 63.
It was his second-highest T20 score, eclipsed only by the astonishing 147 not out he made for Melbourne Stars against Sydney Sixers in January 2020, and Australia’s second-highest IPL score, behind David Warner’s 126 for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2017.
With the T20 World Cup now less than six weeks away, it was an opportune time for Western Australia to find form, having previously made 130 runs at 21.67 in the campaign.
Stoinis was not one of the 23 players given a contract by Cricket Australia earlier this year and missed the tour of New Zealand with a back injury.
“I have a great relationship with the coach [Andrew McDonald]I won’t get a contract; “I knew that a while ago,” she said.
“It’s great to get a place for the young kids and let them have a chance. I absolutely agree with that on the contractual front. On the playing front I want to make sure I’m there. So it’s lucky for me to have this competition.”
Stoinis showed his usual power, smashing six sixes and 13 fours, but also showed some deft touches, rotating the stroke intelligently and using the depth and width of the crease.
Needing 17 to win the final over, he bowled the first long ball for six, the second followed for four and the third crossed the vacant third slip region for another boundary.
That delivery was a no-ball, and Stoinis took the free hit for another four to win with three balls to spare.
It was another example of a high-scoring contest in this year’s IPL, which has been the happiest edition ever for batsmen.
This is largely due to the “impact player” rule, which allows teams to swap a player during the match, meaning a team can add an extra hitting threat before a big chase or bring in a pitcher with no hitting ability. to defend a total.
The four best IPL team scores of all time were published this season, and Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting said the new rule has had an effect.
Australian cricket legend Ponting said choosing teams was “a bit of a nightmare” but if it attracted more casual fans then it should stay.
India captain Rohit Sharma was less ambiguous, saying the rule was hurting the development of all-rounders like Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube, who do not get the opportunity to bowl in high-pressure situations.
Indian sailor Mohammed Siraj also wants the rule scrapped.
“The windows are already flat and there is nothing in them for the players,” he said.
“It used to be slow at times, but now the hitters come out swinging at absolutely everything.”
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AAP/ABC