SL vs AUS: Mitchell Starc ruled out of the second T20I after suffering finger injury

Visitors Australia hammered the Sri Lankan side in the first T20I match played on June 7 (Tuesday). However, in a bad piece of news for the Aussie team, left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc has been ruled out of the second T20I match owing to a finger injury.

Talking about his injury, the express pacer slit the index finger of his bowling arm on his shoe spike during the first over of the match. After getting some on-field treatment, Starc managed to complete his full four-over quota as he managed to scalp three crucial wickets of Pathum Nissanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Dushmantha Chameera. He gave away just 26 runs.

Mitchell Starc tapped his finger while bowling in the first match

Speaking on his injury, pacer Josh Hazlewood told cricket.com.au., “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.”

With Starc injured, the selectors can opt for speedster Jhye Richardson, Sean Abbott, or talented spinner Mitchell Swepson for the second T20I, which is to be played between on June 8 (Wednesday).

Speaking about the first match, Sri Lanka’s top-order batters, after being asked to bat first, gave a flying start to their team as they scored 100 runs in 12 overs. However, some disciplined bowling from the visitors led by Hazlewood ensured that the home team finished on just 128 before getting bundled out in 19.3 overs.

In reply, Australian openers David Warner and skipper Aaron Finch made a mockery of Sri Lanka’s total as they went on to chase the total without facing any problems. While Warner scored 70* off 44 balls, skipper Aaron Finch was also good as he stroked 61* off 40 balls. The duo walked back unbeaten as the Aussies clinched the contest by 10 wickets.