Australia has dealt another blow as their spearhead fast bowler, Josh Hazlewood, has now ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026 due to injury. Pat Cummins’s absence had already fractured the team now, losing the service of the fastbowler will drive further rupture into the squad.
The new development came just a day before the marquee tournament, announced by the national Australia selector Tony Dodemaide. He stated that the team is expecting Hazlewood’s participation from the Super 8 stage, however, the chances remain closely unachievable.
“We were hopeful Josh would be back to match fitness by the Super Eights stage, but the latest indications are that he is still some time away,” Dodemaide expressed. “Trying to accelerate his program would carry too much risk.
“We will not be naming a replacement player immediately. We feel we are well covered for the initial games and will make any later decisions based on priority need at the time.”
For the first time in a world tournament, Australia will be without their famed “Big Three,” with both fast bowlers ruled out and Mitchell Starc retired from T20Is. Earlier this January, Australia confirmed that Pat Cummins would not take part in the 2026 T20 World Cup, having been ruled out with a persistent back injury dating back to last year’s tour of the West Indies.
Australia’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Squad:
Australia squad: 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.
