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Stoinis hole easier to fill at The Oval

3 minute read

Aaron Finch says the 10 overs from part-timers will be easier to manage at The Oval, as Australia tackle the absence of Marcus Stoinis against Sri Lanka.

Marcus Stoinis
Marcus Stoinis Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Australia believe Marcus Stoinis' absence will be easier to manage at The Oval against Sri Lanka, with bigger boundaries offering more protection for part-timers.

Stoinis' side strain has hurt the balance of the Australian side at the World Cup, with Glenn Maxwell now the only recognised fifth bowling option.

A combination of Maxwell and captain Aaron Finch had to get through 10 overs against Pakistan in Taunton, going at just under eight runs per over.

Australia will likely get Stoinis back or Mitch Marsh as a replacement for next Thursday's clash with Bangladesh, helping legspinner Adam Zampa's push to return to the side.

The Aussies are yet to decide on their final XI for Saturday's clash with Sri Lanka, leaving the confirmation of the team until the toss.

But regardless of whether they play the leggie or stick with a four-pronged pace attack, Finch said it would be easier to control Maxwell's overs.

"It was probably tougher at a ground like Taunton," Finch said when asked if he felt confident managing Maxwell with four quicks.

"Here at The Oval there is one a lot bigger side, so you can probably be more defensive with your fifth bowler rather than having to attack with him.

"And that's what the four quicks allows you to do. It gives you an opportunity to attack at one end while being defensive at the other.

"It's just so small Taunton so it's tough to be defensive as a spinner there."

Finch is not the biggest proponent of his own bowling, although he and Steve Smith bowled lengthy stints of spin in the nets on Friday.

Australia had at least planned for this situation before the tournament, knowing there was a possibility a Stoinis or Maxwell could go down.

Maxwell was Australia's first-choice spinner when they won the last World Cup on the faster and bouncier wickets of home.

Back then, though, the Aussies chose three front-line bowlers, and relied on Maxwell, Shane Watson and James Faulkner to get through 20 overs between them.

But Finch said the situation was far different for the Victorian when he was the only real part-timer in the side.

"When you're relied on to bowl 10 you have to chop him out with a few overs here and there," Finch said.

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