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Mitch Marsh's reign as Australia's first-choice Test allrounder has come to a halt after Marcus Stoinis was called into the extended squad for the historic match against Sri Lanka in Canberra.
- Marcus Stoinis is called into the Australian squad for the Canberra Test match
- Mitch Marsh only played one Test in the Australian summer after being named co vice-captain
- Matt Renshaw has been released from the squad for the second Test
"We made the decision to add Marcus to give us the flexibility to play an allrounder in the event the conditions require an extra bowling option in the line-up," Australia's chief selector Trevor Hohns said.
"Marcus has been a consistent performer this season, he has displayed strong all-round form in first-class cricket and continued that form into the Australian ODI series against India."
Stoinis has impressed in his 24 one-day games for Australia, as well as hitting half-centuries and taking three wickets in each of his past two BBL matches for the Melbourne Stars.
The 29-year-old averages 33.61 in first-class cricket — similar to Marsh's 31.63 — but has a significantly lesser record with his right arm medium pace bowling than Marsh, taking 52 wickets at 42.36 compared to Marsh's 137 at 32.29.
Marsh, who was named a co vice-captain alongside Josh Hazlewood at the start of the summer, was picked for just one Test at home this season.
In the third Test in Melbourne, Marsh suffered the ignominy of being booed by some sections of the MCG crowd after replacing Victorian batsman Peter Handscomb in the side on Boxing Day.
Marsh made scores of just 9 and 10 at the MCG, and also failed to take a wicket in the 26 overs he bowled in the first innings.
As a result, the 27-year-old West Australian was dropped for the Sri Lanka series.
Marsh then missed the first match in Australia's one-day series against India through illness, before being overlooked for the following two games.
He since returned for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash last week, scoring 31 with the bat and bowling one wicketless over for 11 runs in the 6-wicket defeat against the Sydney Thunder.
Despite being added to the squad, it is unclear how Stoinis would fit into the team for the Canberra Test, with coaching staff unsure if it will be a docile wicket for batsmen at Manuka Oval.
The selectors made just one other change to the squad, Matt Renshaw released so he can line up for the Brisbane Heat in their clash with the stars at the MCG Sunday night.
Stoinis will join the national squad when they assemble in Canberra on Tuesday ahead of the second Test that starts Friday.
Australia won the first Test against the Sri Lankans inside three days by an innings and 40 runs.
AAP/ABC
Topics: sport, cricket, act, australia, canberra-2600
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