Marcus Stoinis gets recall to push T20 World Cup case; Spencer Johnson unlikely before early 2026

Marcus Stoinis is back for Australia’s three T20Is in New Zealand, giving the allrounder a timely window to fight for a World Cup spot later this season. He had skipped the West Indies and South Africa series by agreement to complete a stint in The Hundred, but remains firmly in the selectors’ plans for a middle‑order finisher’s role with bonus overs of seam if required. Nathan Ellis is unavailable for the NZ trip due to family reasons but is tracking as a World Cup lock after Mitchell Starc’s T20I retirement. Cameron Green, meanwhile, will sit out New Zealand to play the opening Sheffield Shield round as he builds back his bowling loads.

Spencer Johnson’s timeline is the downbeat note. The left‑arm quick—earmarked as a white‑ball successor to Starc—will likely be out until early next year after a back injury sustained at the IPL. Selectors are hopeful he can still impact late in the domestic season and possibly internationally, but he will not feature in this build‑up block. Across eight T20Is he already has 14 wickets, underlining why Australia were keen to fast‑track him.

Matthew Short returns from a side strain and gets a vital audition in a crowded batting group. The three T20Is in New Zealand come fast—October 1, 3 and 4—before five home T20Is against India, Australia’s last full series before the World Cup squad is named. Fringe candidates may still have Big Bash opportunities, and Australia plan a short tune‑up in Pakistan in early February.

What this means for roles:

• Stoinis: middle‑order hitter/finisher who can bowl with the new ball or through the middle if match‑ups suit.

• Ellis: a different type to Starc, but his powerplay/variation skill‑set makes him close to first XI when available.

• Green: prioritised red‑ball bowling return; still an option for World Cup balance if workloads allow.

• Pace pool without Johnson: Hazlewood to lead, with support from Abbott, Bartlett, Dwarshuis; Zampa remains the frontline spinner with Kuhnemann in the squad, Maxwell covering spin‑bat flexibility.

New Zealand T20Is schedule (Australia):

Australia T20I squad vs New Zealand:

Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.