Published 17:37 IST, October 29th 2019
Aus vs SL 2nd T20I: Australia's 2 top back-ups for Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc: The Australian pacer is set to miss out on the 2nd T20I due to personal reasons and could either be replaced by Sean Abbott or Billy Stanlake.
Australia began their home summer with a convincing win over Sri Lanka in Adelaide. The home side, batting first, posted a huge 233-2 in their 20 overs and later restricted the visitors to a paltry 99-9. Australia’s 134-run victory was their biggest in T20Iss in terms of runs and Sri Lanka’s biggest defeat in the format. With the win, Australia took a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series.
Billy Stanlake or Sean Abbott to replace Mitchell Starc in second T20I
Mitchell Starc ended the first T20I with impressive figures of 4-0-18-2. The Australian fast bowler, however, will not be playing the second T20I in Brisbane. According to a Cricket Australia report, Starc has been allowed to leave the Australian camp to attend his brother and world-famous high jumper Brandon Starc’s wedding. Because of Starc’s absence from the playing XI, Billy Stanlake or Sean Abbott are the most likely candidates to replace the left-armer for the upcoming clash on Wednesday.
The 24-year old Stanlake has already played seven ODIs and 17 T20Is for Australia. At 204 cm, Stanlake is the tallest player ever to represent Australia. The right-arm pacer is known for generating good pace and bounce off the pitch and will be a handy replacement for Starc at The Gabba wicket.
Sean Abbott, too, has represented Australia in limited-overs cricket. He made his T20I debut in 2014 and was awarded the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year at the Allan Border Medal ceremony in 2015. Abbott is a quality all-rounder who can bat right-handed. Abbott is also an experienced campaigner in the shortest format, having played 76 domestic T20s in IPL and the Big Bash League combined.
Sri Lanka will now face the hosts in the second T20I on Wednesday. The match will begin at 01:40 PM IST in Brisbane.
Updated 18:26 IST, October 29th 2019