Marcus Stoinis hopes he's sent a message to national selectors with his mammoth BBL season but reckons he's learnt to take nothing for granted.
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Stoinis was key as Melbourne Stars finished top in the regular season, taking the golden cap after scoring 607 runs - a full 158 runs more than the next-best batsman - at a strike rate of 134.29 and an average of 60.70.
The 30-year-old hasn't represented his country in any form of cricket since July's World Cup and said his recent communication had just been in the form of texts with coach Justin Langer.
Competition is fierce for spots in the well-performed Australian team ahead of the home World T20 tournament in October-November, but Stoinis is doing all he can to be there.
"You've got to be careful with what you feel you deserve and I think I've probably been guilty of having expectations that you think other people should reward you for certain things," Stoinis said on Tuesday.
"So I'm very aware, I'm just enjoying what I'm doing.
"I understand that the national selectors wanted me to go back to domestic cricket - or Big Bash cricket - and dominate, so hopefully I've sent that message."
While Stoinis has found top form batting as an opener, skipper Aaron Finch and David Warner are unlikely to be dislodged at the top of the Australian order.
It means if the West Australian does break into Australia's T20 side, he could have to bat at No.5 or No.6.
"I'm not too worried because I've batted everywhere my whole career," Stoinis said.
"I'll go to the IPL in two months and most likely I'll be batting five or six.
"So to me, I see it as I'm adaptable. I'm trying to do everything I can in the game and if the selectors see it as 'you're an opening batsman' or whatever, that's up to them - but I sort of just can't get involved in it."
The Stars will play the second-placed Sydney Sixers in the blockbuster qualifier playoff match at the MCG on Friday night, with the winner to progress directly to the BBL final.
An all-rounder by trade, Stoinis has yet to bowl this season but is expected to have ball in hand at some point in Friday's game.
He said the BBL leaders, who lost their past three games, hadn't grown complacent after securing top spot while they'll be bolstered by the return of Haris Rauf.
"I don't think it was complacency, it's more just the fact you've got to be adaptable and we're heading now to the pointy end and we've got pretty much our full team available," Stoinis said.
Australian Associated Press
