Stoinis touted for Ashes allrounder spot

Australian batting coach Graeme Hick says Marcus Stoinis's string of solid ODI performances on the Qantas Tour of India will boost his Ashes hopes.

While Glenn Maxwell is the incumbent Test No.6, being dropped after a poor ODI series against India has cast doubt over his Magellan Ashes selection.

Stoinis and Hilton Cartwright appear to be strong challengers for the position, given their medium pace could be favoured ahead of Maxwell's off-spin on Australian pitches.

Stoinis was a reliable hand coming in after a string of collapses, making scores of three, 63no, 27no, 15no and 42 in the 4-1 series defeat.

After eight ODIs he has 345 runs at an average of 86.25, while has also taken five wickets and conceded runs at 5.62 an over

"It's certainly putting his name in the hat for that position," Hick said.

"I think there'll be a few players thinking they've got a chance and I think it'll come down to those first few (Sheffield) Shield games.

"I think the guys who are in form will be picked."

Hick said Stoinis had shown he was suited at No.6 and ODIs, giving the 28-year-old confidence ahead of his Shield homecoming to Western Australia.

There will be three first-class games leading up to Australia's first Test against England from November 23 in Brisbane.

Maxwell averaged 33 in two Tests in Bangladesh before his ODI axing.

Hick says the equation is simple for the big-hitting allrounder.

"You either get plenty of runs or plenty of wickets – Maxi knows it," Hick said.

"Hopefully, the selectors or the skipper has relayed that to him."

Shaun Marsh has thrust himself back into the conversation with scores of 132 not out and 88 for WA in the domestic one-day cup.

But the desire to have an allrounder at No.6 might hurt his chances.

Cartwright was the last player used in the role on Australian soil, while Test discards Mitch Marsh and Moises Henriques would also provide a seam-bowling option.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

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