T20 World Cup 2026: After Pat Cummins, now Josh Hazlewood is also out of the tournament.

Updated: 06-02-2026, 07.15 AM

What is the news?

The Australian cricket team, which is preparing for the T20 World Cup 2026, has suffered another major setback. The team’s leading fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the entire tournament due to injury. Before him, Pat Cummins also had to be out of the team due to injury. In such a situation, the bowling of the Kangaroo team has become weak. National selector Tony Dodemide has confirmed Hazlewood’s exclusion from the tournament.

Hazlewood is recovering from hamstring injury

Hazlewood has not played any matches since suffering a hamstring injury in the Sheffield Shield on 12 November. Despite this, he was included in the World Cup squad. Even after the Australian team reached Sri Lanka, he was working on his fitness in Sydney. However, Dodemide has now made it clear that Hazlewood’s comeback is still far away and accelerating his fitness process could be risky. In such a situation, he has been thrown out.

What statement did Dodamide give?

“We were hopeful that Hazlewood would be fit for the Super-8 stage, but now the indications are that he will need more time. We will not announce any replacement immediately and will take a decision later as per the need,” Dodemide said. Before Hazlewood was out, Pat Cummins, who was suffering from a back injury on January 31, also had to be out of the team due to his lack of full recovery. In such a situation, this is a shock for the team.

How is Australia team’s bowling at present?

According to Cricket Australia (CA), at present the team has two fully fit main fast bowlers in the form of Xavier Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis. Traveling reserve Sean Abbott could be included in the squad later. Similarly, Nathan Ellis is also recovering from injury, but it is doubtful that he will play his first match. Tim David and Nathan Ellis could be available for the group stage, while spinner Adam Zampa has been declared fit.

Australia’s final 15-man squad for T20 World Cup

Australia’s T20 World Cup team: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnman, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.