• Starc will miss the second T20I amid a weird finger injury.
• “It was a strange one.” Says Hazlewood on Starc’s injury.
• Australia will take on Sri Lanka in the second T20I on June 8.

Mitchell Starc has been ruled out of the second Twenty20 International between the Aussies and Sri Lanka after sustaining a weird finger injury in the first match on Tuesday (June 7).

During the opening over of the match, Starc severed the index finger on his left hand with a shoe spike. The left-handed speedster got quick medical attention following the wide delivery of the sixth ball, which was conceded.

Read more: Australia’s Finch hopes tour brings ‘joy’ to crisis-hit Sri Lanka

Josh Hazlewood, whose bowling numbers in the first T20I were 4/16, stated that he found the incident strange.

“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,” Hazlewood told the Australian sports news agency.

“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,” he added.

Australia bowled Sri Lanka out for 128 in 19.3 overs, with Starc and Hazlewood combining for seven wickets. Aaron Finch (61) and David Warner (70) finished the meager score without losing a wicket in just 14 overs.

“It was a crazy thing to come back out and finish his spell and take three wickets as well,” Warner said after the match on Starc’s determination to bowl despite cutting his finger.

Read more: Australia picks three pacers for Sri Lanka T20

Australia’s medical personnel will evaluate Starc’s finger injury and soon provide an update on his readiness for the final Twenty20 international on June 11.

Australia will play Sri Lanka in the second Twenty20 International at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday, June 8.