Australia will be without senior fast bowler Josh Hazlewood for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after he was ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Team selectors have confirmed that no replacement player will be named at this stage.
The tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, begins on February 7, with Australia scheduled to start their campaign on February 11 in Colombo.
Australia Opt to Wait on Replacement Decision
Australia selector Tony Dodemaide said the team had hoped Hazlewood would regain match fitness by the Super Eights stage, but recent assessments indicated he would require more recovery time. Accelerating his rehabilitation, he added, would carry an unnecessary risk.
As a result, selectors have chosen not to name a replacement immediately, stating the squad is sufficiently covered for the opening matches of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Any decision on a replacement will be made later, based on the team’s requirements during the tournament.
Pace Resources Limited After Injuries
Hazlewood’s withdrawal follows the earlier injury setback to Australia captain Pat Cummins, leaving the squad short on frontline pace options at the start of the competition. With Mitchell Starc having retired from T20 internationals last year, this will be the first major ICC tournament since March 2011 that the trio have all missed.
At present, Xavier Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis are the only fully fit specialist fast bowlers in the squad. Seam all-rounder Sean Abbott is travelling with the team as a reserve and could be considered if a replacement is required later.
Spin Likely to Play a Key Role in Sri Lanka
With all group-stage matches scheduled in Sri Lanka, Australia is expected to rely heavily on its spin resources. Captain Mitchell Marsh recently highlighted the squad’s depth and flexibility, noting that team selection will be influenced by conditions.
Australia’s spin options for the tournament include Adam Zampa, Matthew Kuhnemann, and Cooper Connolly.
Australia Squad for T20 World Cup 2026
- Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Travelling reserve: Sean Abbott
