Stoinis announces shock retirement ahead of CT

Australia's all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has announced his retirement from One-Day International (ODI) cricket, confirming he will not be part of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Stoinis, who was initially named in the Australia squad for the tournament, made the decision to step away from ODIs to focus on the next phase of his career.

Stoinis, 35, shared that the decision wasn't easy, but he believes it is the right time to move on.

"This wasn't an easy decision, but I believe it's the right time for me to step away from ODIs and fully focus on the next chapter of my career," he said.

Marcus Stoinis was part of the 2023 ODI World Cup squad, where he played a key role with the ball in Australia's comeback against Pakistan. This performance helped Australia recover from a tough start to the tournament and ultimately led them to victory as champions.

However, after the World Cup, Stoinis featured in just one more ODI – against Pakistan earlier this season.

He did not receive a Cricket Australia contract last year, though he was initially set to play a role in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to the absence of the injured Cameron Green.

Australia's head coach, Andrew McDonald, praised Stoinis for his contribution to the team over the past decade. "Stoinis has been such a pivotal part of our ODI setup for the past decade," McDonald said.

"Not only has he been an invaluable player, but also an incredible person to have in the group. He is a natural leader, an exceptionally popular player, and a great person. He should be congratulated on his ODI career and all of his achievements."

In light of Stoinis' retirement, Australia will need to make several changes to their Champions Trophy squad. These adjustments will be confirmed after the second Test against Sri Lanka. Mitchell Marsh has already been ruled out due to a back injury, and captain Pat Cummins, along with fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, are both doubtful for the tournament.

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