Former Australia captain Allan Border feels that the omission of all-rounder Marcus Stoinis from Cricket Australia’s central contract list is a “wake-up call” for the player, a thought backed by his former teammate Mark Waugh.

Stoinis was one of the high-profile names who lost their contract when CA announced the 20-man list on Thursday, alongside Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh. The 30-year-old set the Big Bash League 2019/20 alight with 705 runs at 54.23, the most by anyone in a single edition, but hasn’t found a spot in the Australian side since his below-par performances at last year’s World Cup.

“His omission is surprising, but it’s probably a wake-up call from the selectors that they want more from him,” Border told foxsports.com.au. “We saw in the BBL last year some very good performances from him.”

Waugh, too, is of the opinion that his BBL exploits don’t alone justify a contract with the national side. “His performances for Australia haven’t been as good as the talent he has shown in the BBL in recent times. The selectors are saying to Stoinis they just want a little bit more from him, especially when he is playing in Australian colours.”

Stoinis’ highest score in his last 10 ODI innings is 22, with the all-rounder managing just one fifty since the start of January 2019. He’s been used sparingly as a bowler, too, having not completed his quota of ten overs in 19 ODIs since January 2019. His prolific run in the Big Bash came at the top of the order for Melbourne Stars, but given Australia’s abundance of options, it could be rather difficult to slot him in at the top.