Due to a series of injury setbacks, Australia’s fast bowling options are limited. Josh Hazlewood will not participate in the early part of the ICC T20 World Cup. He will continue to work on his Achilles problem in Sydney, according to ESPNCricinfo on Monday. Sean Abbott, a pacer who also bats well, has been added to the squad as a travelling reserve. Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Ellis, and Tim David missed the T20I series in Pakistan but will rejoin the squad on Sunday before the February 11 match against Ireland in Colombo. They are in Group B with Ireland, Oman, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe.
Hazlewood was initially sidelined with a hamstring issue before the Ashes series. During his recovery, an Achilles injury ruled him out completely. Australian selectors and medical staff have decided he will remain in Sydney with selector Tony Dodemaide to finish his rehab.
Dodemaide told ESPNCricinfo, We felt it was more realistic and helpful for Josh to continue his rehab at home in a comfortable setting before going to Sri Lanka. With Nathan also nearing his return, we chose to bring Sean as fast bowling cover if needed.
Sean is a skilled international player with experience in many World Cups. It made sense for him to stay with the team after the Pakistan tour.
Australia is already without Pat Cummins, their ODI and Test captain and a key bowler in all formats. He missed four of five Ashes Tests. While fit enough to play the Adelaide Test, where he took three wickets, he skipped the last two Tests to rest for the World Cup but still needs more time to recover from back issues. Ben Dwarshuis, a bowling all-rounder, has replaced him. Opener Matthew Short was removed from the initial squad and replaced by Matt Renshaw.
Hazlewood’s late arrival, Ellis missing the Big Bash League (BBL) finals for Hobart Hurricanes, and Tim David’s hamstring issues, which shortened his BBL season and kept him out of the Pakistan series, have been cause for concern in recent months. This is David’s second hamstring injury since the IPL. A broken ankle also sidelined Maxwell during the Pakistan tour.
Adam Zampa, the frontline spinner, only bowled two overs in the final T20I in Lahore and could not bat due to groin tightness, but Cricket Australia (CA) stated that the move was precautionary.
Australia’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad:
Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, Sean Abbott (travelling reserve).