India, Feb. 11 -- Australia beat Ireland by 67 runs in their first match at Colombo to kick off their T20 World Cup campaign with a sparkling win but lost their captain Mitchell Marsh before even a ball was bowled.

Marsh was hit in the groin during practice earlier in the week and Cricket Australia issued a statement just before Wednesday's game saying scans showed internal testicular bleeding and that he needed rest. Marsh joins fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood who had been already ruled out of the tournament, with star batter Tim David being rested in the hope of being called up later in the World Cup.

Australia are down to 12 players available now. To lose a clutch of stars like Marsh, Hazlewood and Cummins before a World ...