Marcus Stoinis has struggled with a side strain in recent weeks.Credit:Getty
Alongside Stoinis and Marsh,left-arm spinner Ashton Agar is also recovering from a side strain. As a consequence,Sean Abbott and Daniel Sams are a chance to figure as part of a five-bowler attack in addition to Green,even after the returns of David Warner,Mitchell Starc and Kane Richardson.
A move away from five bowlers to two allrounders among seven specialist batters was one of the key switches made by Australia in the leadup tolast year’s surprise World Cup victory in the UAE,as Marsh and Stoinis each played vital roles.
“It’s not ideal I think in T20 cricket,we feel as though the flexibility of allrounders gives us that power with the bat but also some options with the ball when you throw Maxy[Glenn Maxwell] in there as well,” Finch said of the five bowler option on the eve of two matches against the West Indies in Queensland. “But it’s something to juggle.
“For the balance of the side,it’s better when[Stoinis and Marsh] are both bowling. Because you can get caught a little bit short if you go in with five bowlers. But we’ll work that out.
“Five games plus the warm-up game against India[on October 17] I think is important that we keep making sure we’re giving ourselves enough options. The last thing you want is to be caught short in playing only one style of team or one strategy of team.“
Warner’s return at the top and Marsh’s at first wicket down also creates a further squeeze in the batting order,after Steve Smith and Tim David both played in India. Asked whether Smith and David were duelling for one spot,Finch hedged.
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