AUS vs SL: Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood & Pat Cummins to miss remainder of T20I series?

AUS vs SL: In an important news development, Australia’s star fast bowling trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will miss the final two T20I matches against Sri Lanka. Hosts Australia have already sealed the five-match T20I series in their favour by taking an unassailable lead of 3-0. Australia registered a convincing 6-wicket victory in the recently concluded 3rd T20I match against the Lankan side.

AUS vs SL: Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood & Pat Cummins to miss remainder of T20I series?

Ahead of the fourth T20I encounter, Aussie captain Aaron Finch came up with a big announcement that Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have been rested for the remainder of the Sri Lanka T20I series. In order to manage the workload of their premier pace bowlers, the Australian team management has taken this big call. Finch also mentioned that he will continue to be flexible with his batting position after playing at No.3 spot in the third T20I against Sri Lanka.

“Between Starc and Cummins, they’ve had a huge workload on the back of a World Cup and a five-Test match Ashes series,” Aaron Finch told reporters on Wednesday.

“Josh is coming back off a bit of an injury and with all of them going to Pakistan we felt as though that was really important for them to be able to stay at home and be out of a bubble for a day or two,” he added.

Related: Likely Sri Lanka Playing 11

Australia are set to ring the changes at the MCG for the final two T20s v ??

Here's what Aaron Finch had to say about the team make-up today | #AUSvSL https://t.co/L3Kbu0iRes

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 17, 2022

Aaron Finch looks set to bat as low as No.5 for Australia's T20 side in the lead-up to their #T20WorldCup defence #AUSvSL | @LouisDBCameron https://t.co/q03BCUQ9VV

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 17, 2022

Related: Wanindu Hasaranga to miss remainder of AUS vs SL Series?

Australia vs Sri Lanka: What will be Australia Playing 11 in 3rd T20I?

In the absence of Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood, the trio of Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams and Jhye Richardson will form part of the Australian fast bowling attack in the final two T20I matches against Sri Lanka scheduled to take place on 18 and 20 February respectively at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne. Travis Head is likely to replace Steve Smith who suffered a concussion during the second game. Right-arm leg spinner Adam Zampa is also expected to return to the Aussie playing 11 to partner Ashton Agar in the spin department.

AUS Playing 11 (likely)
Ben McDermott
Ashton Agar
Aaron Finch
Glenn Maxwell
Josh Inglis/Travis Head
Marcus Stoinis
Matthew Wade
Daniel Sams
Kane Richardson
Jhye Richardson
Adam Zampa