Australia's star pacer Mitchell Starc to miss second T20I against SL

Australia's star fast bowler Mitchell Starc will not play in the second T20 International match against Sri Lanka on Wednesday due to his brother's wedding. Starc's absence has opened up doors for pace bowlers, Billy Stanlake and Sean Abbott, who will be eyeing a spot in the ICC T20 World Cup squad. Abbott joined the squad on Sunday as a replacement for injured Andrew Tye and is expected to add more firepower to the team's death bowling. The Australians will look forward for an unassailable lead in the three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka. 

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Abbott vs Stanlake for Starc's spot

The Australian pace spearhead has been granted a leave under head coach Justin Langer's mandate to give increased focus on family time where possible. However, the team will not miss their ace bowler as Stanlake and Abbott, both have impressed in their recent domestic outings. Stanlake's spectacular performance in Australia's domestic T20 league, Big Bash led to former Australia captain vouching for the pacer and stating that he has the potential to be 'one of the greatest fast bowlers of all-time.' On the other hand, Abbott has grabbed eyeballs with his recent outing in the Australia A squad. Abbott was the leading wicket-taker in the one-day leg of the recent tour of the UK, taking eight wickets at an economy rate of 4.79.

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First T20 against Sri Lanka

Australia handed Sri Lanka a huge 134-run defeat in the first T20 at The Oval, Adelaide in the first T20 match on Sunday as the preparations for the World T20 went underway. Chasing a mammoth target of 234 runs, Sri Lanka's batting order collapsed to the pressure of the Australian bowlers, with spinner Adam Zampa picking up three scalps while pacers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins picked up two wickets each. Sri Lanka's highest run-scorer in the match was Dasun Shanaka, who scored 17 runs, followed by skipper Lasith Malinga and Kusal Perera.  

David Warner scores maiden T20I ton

Australia's opener David Warner registered his first maiden T20I ton against Sri Lanka on Sunday as Australia raced to 233 runs in the first T20 at Adelaide. David Warner raced to his century off just 56 balls, including ten fours and four sixes. David Warner marked his comeback to the national side in the shortest form of the game after his international ban with a century and remained unbeaten at the end of Australia's innings. Sri Lanka's pacers suffered the wrath of Aaron Finch, David Warner, and Glen Maxwell, leaving them jolted as Australia lost just one wicket in their 20 overs. and set a target of 233 runs for Sri Lanka to chase down.  

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