Fit-again Marcus Stoinis upbeat for the England T20Is

Marcus Stoinis. (PC- Twitter)

Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has declared himself fit and ready for the T20I series opener against England at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

The Western Australia cricketer suffered a side strain injury on September 8 when Australia were hosting the Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in an ODI series. The injury forced him to miss the recently concluded hard-fought three-match T20I series in India which the Aussies went on to lose 1-2. 

Stoinis has been nursing a side strain injury with Australian physio Nick Jones monitoring his progress. With selectors having backed him in, Stoinis' fitness is set to be put to the test against England in Perth.

"I had a good solid bowl yesterday. Our physio Nick Jones is over here as well so they ticked all that off and had a good look. I reckon I could have played (against West Indies). But it wasn't worth it because of the travel over there," said Marcus Stoinis.

For Stoinis, the upcoming home series against England looms as a key fitness test for the all-rounder who didn’t go on Australia’s recent tour of India or play against the West Indies as he recovered from a side strain. With promising young all-rounder Cameron Green looming as a potential World Cup replacement, Stoinis needs to show he can perform.

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