Marcus Stoinis ruled out of SL ODI series | Head, Kuhnemann receive a call-up to the squad

On June 15 (Wednesday), the batting all-rounder Marcus Stoinis was ruled out of the remainder of the ongoing ODI series against Sri Lanka. He suffered a side strain during his batting in the 1st ODI, wherein he played a quickfire knock of 44 off 31 balls, comprising four boundaries and two sixes. 

On the other hand, Ashton Agar is also doubtful for the 2nd ODI due to the same injury as well. The left-arm spinning all-rounder finished with figures of 2/49 in 10 overs and contributed mere three runs with the bat. 

Australia's prominent red-ball batter, Travis Head and the uncapped spinner Matthew Kuhnemann have been called up as the cover for both the players. 

Both the substitutes were part of the Australia-A Playing XI, who are currently facing Sri Lanka A in a four-day match at Hambantota. 

Head scored 39 off 29 in the first innings, while Kuhnemann had already picked up two wickets. Both of them have been replaced by the likes of Jimmy Pierson and Tanveer Sangha in the Playing XI. 

If Agar is deemed unfit for the Test series, Kuhnemann will form a spin trio with Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Swepson. However, it is highly unlikely that all the three players will be included in the XI for the red-ball series starting June 29 at Galle. 

With Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Marsh still recovering from finger and calf injuries, respectively, and Kane Richardson flying back home due to a hamstring, the latest announcement is a major blow to the Australian camp.

The tall, lanky all-rounder, Cameron Green, has also been left out of the first two matches of the ODI series to manage his workload better for the crucial matches of the longest format. 

The Aaron Finch-led side will be up against the challenge of Sri Lanka in the second fixture of the ODI series on June 16 at Pallekele. They won the 1st ODI by two wickets. 

Currently, the Australian team is at seventh position in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League Table, and it will be critical for them to win as many ODI matches as possible to qualify for the 2023 World Cup.