"It hurt a lot" - Marcus Stoinis on not playing in the 2023 World Cup final

Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has claimed that it greatly hurt him not to be part of the playing XI in the 2023 World Cup final against India in Ahmedabad. However, he felt it was easier to deal with when it came from coach Andrew McDonald.

Australia decided to go ahead with an extra batter in Marnus Labuschagne instead of a specialist all-rounder in the final. Labuschgane ended up playing a starring role for the Aussies, staying unbeaten on 58 to stitch a match-winning stand of 192 with Travis Head as Australia lifted the ODI World Cup for the sixth time.

On The Unplayable Podcast, Stoinis, who has been in form for Australia in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, said:

"Obviously it was between me and Marnus depending on the type of wicket that was going to be produced. To be honest, it hurt a lot. My relationship with 'Ron' being so strong – I've known him for a long time, and he's been so good to me – but it was easier coming from him. He's always super honest with me, I'm always super honest with him."

Nevertheless, Stoinis wasn't the most in-form player leading up to the final. He only managed 87 runs in six matches at an average of 21.75 and had taken four wickets.

"It looked shocking" - Marcus Stoinis on the pitch for the 2023 ODI World Cup final

Stoinis recalled that although the pitch in the 2023 ODI World Cup final played okay for the most part, it didn't look good initially.

"We all saw the wicket before (the game) and it looked shocking. It played OK, but it didn't look great at all. So that did frustrate me, in that you would love to rock up to the World Cup with a belting wicket. That frustrated me – but that also means I'm not frustrated at the coaches or anything like that," he explained.

Travis Head won the Player of the Match award in the final for striking a sublime 137 as Australia chased down 241 with six wickets to spare.