Cricket World Cup 2019: Aussies sweat on Marcus Stoinis fitness ahead of Bangladesh showdown

All eyes will be on Marcus Stoinis at training on Tuesday night (EST) as the all-rounder looks to beat a nagging injury and take part in the rest of Australia’s World Cup campaign.

Marcus Stoinis is in a real race against time to prove his fitness.

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Marcus Stoinis will be put through his paces to begin to determine whether he will take any further part in Australia’s World Cup campaign.

The Aussies will return to training at Trent Bridge on Tuesday night (EST) following a rest and travel day, ahead of Thursday’s clash with Bangladesh.

All eyes will however be on Stoinis, who team officials hope can return to bowling this week after suffering a side strain.

There’s no guarantee Australia will make an immediate call on his availability, but it seems unlikely he will be carried much longer if he is unable to play.

Marcus Stoinis is in a real race against time to prove his fitness.

Australia have conceded not having a pace-bowling all-rounder available is hurting team balance, with Adam Zampa being the chief casualty over the past two games.

Mitch Marsh travelled with the team to Nottingham instead of heading to Northamptonshire with the Australia A group, and will be ready to come into the World Cup squad if called upon.

Stoinis hurt his side in his opening overs in the loss to India and initially thought it was back problem. He twice left the field but returned to bowl.

He is still able to bat and run, but has not yet tried bowling.

The all-rounder’s availability could also have implications on both Shaun Marsh and Usman Khawaja.

Australia will almost certainly stick with four front-line bowlers plus Glenn Maxwell and an all-rounder, meaning there won’t be room for both Marsh and Khawaja.

Usman Khawaja has been struggling for runs thus far.

Khawaja had originally won the race for selection at the start of the tournament, but has hit just 98 runs at 19.6 for the competition since losing the opening role.

Marsh has scores of 23 and 3, as part of Australia’s late-innings issues in the past two games.

Meanwhile quick Nathan Coulter-Nile is not considered in any long-term doubt, after he missed Australia’s win over Sri Lanka with captain Aaron Finch saying he was “a bit stiff and sore”.

Coulter-Nile has had a number of injury issues in recent years, and did not play red-ball cricket last summer for Western Australia.

“He’s been flagging a little bit over the last couple of games,” Finch said.

Originally published as Cricket World Cup 2019: Aussies sweat on Marcus Stoinis fitness ahead of Bangladesh showdown