Cricket Victoria pays tribute to Marcus Stoinis and Kristen Beams

Stoinis is poised to play his maiden international match, after being included alongside Victorian teammates Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade and James Pattinson in the Australian line-up.

The powerful right-hander made headlines last month when he hit six sixes in an over playing for the National Performance Squad against the National Indigenious Squad in his innings of 121 from 73 deliveries.

He has just returned from the Australia A tour of India, where he struck 77 in the opening four-day fixture.

He also took part in the Nepal Charity T20 in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday where he represented the World XI against Nepal and was named Player of the Match after top-scoring with 48 from 29 deliveries.

Beams became the 168^th woman to play Test cricket for Australia last night when she was included in the Southern Stars final XI to face England.

She responded in great fashion, partnering with Jess Jonassen (95*) in an unbroken 62-run partnership that has guided Australia to 8-268 at stumps on day one with Beams unbeaten on 24.

Cricket Victoria CEO Tony Dodemaide congratulated the pair on their milestones.

“Marcus and Kristen represent the next wave of Victorian international players,” Dodemaide said.

“Marcus has impressed everyone in the Bushrangers camp with his professionalism since he joined the squad three years ago.

“He made the number three batting position his own during last season, making nine fifties in 10 matches, and was a key reason for Victoria claiming the Sheffield Shield.

“Kristen has worked for many years with the VicSpirit squad trying to master the game’s hardest craft of leg spin and there is no one more deserving of a baggy green than her.”

After making his debut for Western Australia aged 19, Stoinis played seven matches for the Warriors before crossing to Victoria in 2011 for more opportunity.

Stoinis had a breakthrough season in 2013-14 when he made four centuries in nine matches for Northcote and was rewarded with a call-up to the Bushrangers squad where he repaid the selectors’ faith with a maiden century of 170 against Tasmania in March 2014.

He has since averaged 46.80 in 15 first-class matches for Victoria and has also impressed with his all-round ability, with the 25-year-old opening the bowling on occasion last season.

Beams made her VicSpirit debut in 2007 and has since played 112 matches and claimed 120 wickets.

The leg-spinner played her maiden international match last August, capturing 17 wickets in 14 games since.