SL vs AUS | Star pacer Mitchell Starc ruled out of 2nd T20I following finger injury

Australia might have started the three-match T20I series with a win, but they did not come out scratchless. After suffering a finger injury, pacer Mitchell Starc has been ruled out of the second T20I.

Starc, in his first over, slit open his left hand's index finger, which was then heavily tapped as he completed his four overs. It was bandaged because of an external injury suffered during the match.

Speaking to cricket.com.au, Man of the Match awardee Josh Hazlewood said, "It was a strange one. Once his left leg came back through, he clipped it on the spike, so he's got a little cut on his bowling finger.

He was allowed to strap it tonight being an external blow in this game (but) can't strap it (Wednesday) night, so that might cause a few problems."

Starc became the second casualty on this trip that saw fast bowler Sean Abbott get ruled out of the Sri Lankan tour due to a fracture in the finger, which he suffered in the nets.

The 25-year-old Jhye Richardson will most likely replace Starc.

For the match at Colombo, Sri Lanka were put in to bat by Aaron Finch, who won the toss. The hosts were off to a decent start, making 100 runs in 11 overs, but as has been the case with them lately, they suffered a horrific collapse.

Hazlewood's triple-wicket over sank Dasun Shanaka's Lanka as they were bundled out for 128 in 19.3 overs, losing eight wickets for 28 runs. Hazlewood picked wickets of Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Shanaka to finish with figures of 4 for 16.

In reply, David Warner and Finch smacked half-centuries to guide the visitors to a comfortable 10-wicket victory on Tuesday evening.

The second T20I will also be played at the R Premadasa in Colombo tonight (Wednesday).