SL vs AUS | Mitchell Starc to miss 3rd T20I, uncertain for few ODIs

Australia claimed an unassailable 2-0 lead in the T20I series against Sri Lanka last evening (June 8), winning the second match of the series at Colombo. On Saturday, the final T20I will see teams shift to the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. 

Mitchell Starc, who missed the second game, has been ruled out of the third T20I following a finger injury he suffered in the opening encounter.

Starc is also doubtful for the One-Day International (ODI) series. Jhye Richardson, who replaced the left-hander in the second T20I, has been named his replacement for the 50-overs leg.

Richardson was set to feature in the Australian A side in two four-day games in Hambantota. However, South Australia's Nathan McAndrew has been called to replace Richardson, who is currently playing for Warwickshire as an overseas signee.

Starc sliced his index finger from a spike in his shoe during the first over of the first T20I. He bowled his quota of four overs after heavily tapping the injured finger.

The team management is confident that the fast bowler will recover fully by the end of the ODI series and be available for the start of the Test stint.

"(He) will continue to train with the squad in Sri Lanka and potentially return during the ODI Series. His recovery time is unspecified but anticipated to be a minimum of seven days," Cricket Australia (CA) said in a statement.

Also, Sean Abbott injured his finger in the nets, which resulted in him getting ruled out of the Sri Lankan tour altogether.

The World Cup winner will likely break Pakistan's Saqlain Mushtaq's quickest record to 200 ODI wickets; he currently has 195 from 99 games.

The first two ODIs will take place in Kandy before the teams return to Colombo for the third, fourth, and fifth matches. Both the Test matches will be played at Galle on June 29 and July 8, respectively.