I was really nervous today: Marcus Stoinis after turning the match for Australia

Marcus Stoinis (Source: Twitter)

What was about to become a near-close encounter against Sri Lanka, Marcus Stoinis turned the match into a one-sided affair with his exuberant innings. Chasing 158 for victory in a do-or-die game, Glenn Maxwell tried to put the innings back on track but departed with 69 required off 46 deliveries.

Australia were struggling for runs when skipper Aaron Finch was stranded at the other end, unable to break the shackles, batting at a strike rate of way below than hundred. However, as soon as Stoinis came to the crease, it was a one-man show.

He smacked six sixes and four fours to score 59 runs from just 18 deliveries helping to finish the match for side with 21 balls remaining. His gigantic sixes erupted his home ground Perth, where after the game, he mentioned that he was nervous batting in front of his family and friends.

Furthermore, he said that he was feeling as he got the time to look after his side strain issue.

What Stoinis said after his incredible performance

"Ronnie (Andrew McDonald) actually said to have a look at the quicks as it was doing a bit and I feel comfortable, then to have a go at the spinners. Once I got in, the plan was to keep going. To be honest, I was really nervous today being at home in Perth, lot of family and friends here. So, I was really nervous going into it, but really happy that we ended on putting up a clinic there. 

"Mentally I was nice and fresh, I had a bit of time off looking after the side strain, it's been sort of plaguing me on and off for a while now, but so far so good. We played here the other day against England and it was a beautiful wicket. 

"This did look like it was doing a bit more especially with the new ball, but it's a beautiful ground and probably the best ground in Australia if not the world with the technology and lighting going on here and my home crowd, it's a beautiful wicket. We wrapped this game up and look forward to playing England at the MCG. They are obviously a very good team, so we will do our homework again, rest up get on the flight tomorrow go on from there."

Australia will next take on their rivals England on 28th October at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which is actually the most essential game for them as a loss would potentially rule them out of the T20 World Cup 2022.

Also Read: England announces ODI squad for the Australia series