Details emerge around 'strange' Mitchell Starc mishap in first T20

Mitchell Starc is likely to be ruled out of Australia's second T20 clash with Sri Lanka after splitting open his index finger on his own spikes.

Australia rolled Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in a dominant display set up by the dominance of Starc and in particular Josh Hazlewood, who claimed seven wickets between them.

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Starc still managed to pick up three wickets despite leaving the field early in the game, after catching his finger on his spikes during the follow-through of one of his deliveries.

He left the field after bowling just five balls, but was able to return a short time later - impressively bowling all four of his overs for figures of 3-26 as he and Hazlewood ripped through the Sri Lankan batting order at the cost of just 128 runs.

Starc was allowed to tape up the injured finger at the time as it happened during the game, but he'll miss the second game as such treatment is not allowed prior to the game starting.

Hazlewood, who earned man of the match honours for his 4-16 performance, said it was a strange injury to see Starc pick up.

"It was a strange one," he said.

"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."

Hazlewood had earlier silenced a packed crowd at the R Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday night, running through Sri Lanka with a three-wicket burst in the 14th over as the hosts lost 4-3, and 9-28.

Opening batsman David Warner said the team had explored options to get Starc back on the field by Wednesday night, but they would simply have to wait for it to heal.

“It was a crazy thing to come back out and finish his spell and take three wickets as well,” Warner said.

"They'll assess him to see if he needs stitches, or if he can glue it up and be ready (for the next match) but I'm probably doubting that."

Australia dominate Sri Lanka in first T20 showdown

Openers Warner (70*) and Aaron Finch (61*) backed up Hazlewood's dominance, powering Australia to 0-101 in the 12th over before heavy rain set in to force players off the field for almost an hour.

After play resumed, Finch guided a six to third man for the winning runs as Australia passed Sri Lanka's total with 36 balls to spare.

"Josh was outstanding with the ball, he was very good through the IPL and he's started well here," Warner said.

"It was a great start, we had a couple of lead-in days with training and it's very hot and humid over here."

Finch was given out lbw in the first over but he successfully reviewed the decision, going onto carve out his best T20I score since March 2021.

The reigning T20 world champions crushed Sri Lanka, who are now being led by former England coach Chris Silverwood, despite the Lions making a promising start after Finch won the toss and bowled first.

Hazlewood began the rout by dismissing dangerous opener Danushka Gunathilaka (26) in the fifth over.

Gunathilaka's opening partner Pathum Nissanka (36) combined for a 61-run stand with Charith Asalanka (38) as the pair looked comfortable at the crease.

Asalanka crashed a giant six into the scoreboard off Kane Richardson, and he was dropped on the boundary by Steve Smith.

But Hazlewood was brought back on to continue his dominance of Sri Lanka, after starring in Australia's 4-1 series win on home soil in February.

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