Colombo, February 11 Australian captain Mitchell Marsh was forced to miss his team's opening T20 World Cup match against Ireland here on Wednesday due to a groin injury, leading to the inclusion of veteran batter Steve Smith as a replacement.
Travis Head is leading the side in Marsh's absence against Ireland, and Matt Renshaw has been pencilled in for his debut World Cup appearance. The 29-year-old Renshaw made his T20 international debut last month against Pakistan in Lahore.
"Mitchell Marsh will miss the opening match of the ICC men's T20 World Cup after sustaining a direct blow to the groin during training earlier this week. He is experiencing ongoing pain and discomfort, which is restricting his movement," a Cricket Australia statement said.
"Scans have confirmed internal testicular bleeding, and he will require a period of rest and rehabilitation. His return to play will be guided by symptom resolution and medical advice," it further stated.
Smith, who hasn't played a T20I since February last year but has been in good form in the domestic circuit, will travel to Sri Lanka as a replacement to acclimatize and prepare, should he be required.
Marsh sustained the injury after being hit by one of Australia's assistant coaches during a training session on Sunday.
His injury is the latest setback for the depleted squad, which is already missing frontline pacers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.
