Australia has suffered a major blow ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. Key fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the upcoming tournament due to a hamstring injury. Cricket Australia announced on Friday that Hazlewood has not recovered in time from his hamstring injury and will therefore be unable to participate in the tournament.
A replacement for the 35-year-old Hazlewood has not yet been announced. Cricket Australia stated that a replacement player will be named at the appropriate time, taking into account the tournament schedule. This is a double blow for Australia, as Pat Cummins has also already been ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Australian fast bowler in T20 World Cup 2026
Australia has two fit fast bowlers available in Ben Dwarshuis and Xavier Bartlett. Cricket Australia selector Todd Dodemaide told cricket.com.au, We were hopeful that Josh Hazlewood would be fit for the Super Eight stage, but the latest indications suggest he's not quite there yet. Rushing him back would be too risky.
We're not announcing a replacement for Josh Hazlewood at this stage. We feel our squad is well-equipped for the initial matches, and a decision on a replacement player will be made later, depending on the circumstances.
Major changes in the Australian cricket team
This will be the first major ICC World Cup tournament since March 2011 where the Australian team will take the field without Mitchell Starc (who has retired from the T20 format), Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood. Despite the absence of these key fast bowlers, captain Mitchell Marsh said that the Australian team has plenty of depth.
Australian team for the T20 World Cup
Mitchell Marsh (captain), 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.
Also Read: Top 5 batsmen with most runs in ICC Under 19 World Cup history
T20 World Cup 2026 schedule
Venue - Pallekele International Cricket Stadium T20
SL
Venue - Arun Jaitley Stadium T20
SA
Venue - Eden Gardens T20
WI
Venue - T20
Venue - T20
Venue - T20
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