Marcus Stoinis to make debut for much-changed Aussies

Shane Watson, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc are those held over from the Ashes campaign

Australia will hand a debut to Victoria all-rounder Marcus Stoinis when their limited-overs series against England kicks off with a Twenty20 in Cardiff.

Stoinis, 26, will be the newest face in a much-changed side today, with just five of those who played in their 3-2 Ashes defeat on parade.

Captain Steve Smith, deputising in the short format for the injured Aaron Finch, showed his hand on the eve of the match and confirmed Stoinis would play at Sophia Gardens despite having only nine T20 matches under his belt at domestic level.

He will be joined by leg-spinner Cameron Boyce, who is not part of Australia’s ODI party and has therefore undertaken a 20,000-mile round trip for the chance of a four-over spell.

Shane Watson, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc are those held over from the Ashes campaign, but Smith is interested to see how the new arrivals fare.

“I played in the Under-19 World Cup with Marcus Stoinis in Malaysia in 2008 and he’s certainly come a long way,” said the captain. “He’s improved every year. He’s thrown up good performances first of all at Western Australia and then moving over to Victoria was a big move for him.

“He’s put the numbers on the board there and thoroughly deserves an opportunity here.”