Josh Hazlewood ruled out, leaves Australia to suffer at T20 World Cup 2026

The Australia National Cricket Team suffered a massive setback just hours before the start of the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, as their premier fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been officially ruled out of the prestigious tournament.

Josh Hazlewood ruled out just before the T20 World Cup 2026

Josh Hazlewood has been out of action since November 12, when he injured his hamstring while playing in the Sheffield Shield. Since then, he has not played a single match. Despite the injury, the senior pacer travelled with the Australian squad to Sri Lanka for the T20 World Cup 2026.

The plan was to slowly build his fitness and make him available later in the tournament, possibly after the group matches. However, only five days before Australia’s first game against Ireland in Colombo on February 12, the situation changed.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Read Also: Steve Smith paid double of Babar Azam, becomes Most Expensive Player in PSL History

The Australian selector Tony Dodemaide has confirmed that Hazlewood is still not fit and will not recover in time to take part in the T20 World Cup 2026.

Australian to name a replacement later

Australian selector Tony Dodemaide said in an official statement, “We were hopeful Josh Hazlewood would be back to match fitness by the Super Eights stage, but the latest indications are he is still some time away. Trying to accelerate his program will carry too much of a risk.

We will not be naming a replacement player immediately. We feel we are well covered for the initial games, so we will make any later decisions based on priority need at the time.”

This setback has made Australia’s campaign even more difficult, as Pat Cummins is already out of the tournament due to fitness concerns.

Australia enters the World Cup without their ‘Big Three Pacers’

With both Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood unavailable and Mitchell Starc having retired from T20Is last year, Australia is heading into the T20 World Cup 2026 in a situation they haven’t faced in over a decade, especially in the big ICC event.

For the first time since March 2011, Australia will play a World Cup without their famous “Big Three” fast bowlers. Presently, Xavier Bartlett, who is known for his swing, and the left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis are the only two fully fit frontline fast bowlers in the squad.

Sean Abbott is travelling with the team as a reserve player and could be added to the main squad as Hazlewood’s replacement if they needed in the tournament.

Read Also: Mohsin Naqvi and Pakistan attacked as Sri Lanka Cricket launches war amid T20 World Cup row

Spin to be Australia’s main weapon, all-rounders to provide balance

With pace options limited, Australia is expected to rely heavily on spin in the subcontinent conditions, where pitches are known to favor turn. Adam Zampa has recovered and is fit for the opening match against Ireland. Along with him, Matt Kuhnemann and Cooper Connolly give Australia a strong spin-heavy attack for the showpiece event.

Even without their top fast bowlers, Australia still has options. All-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green provide seam support and batting depth, while Nathan Ellis and Tim David are expected to be available for the group stage at the T20 World Cup 2026.

Australia’s T20 World Cup squad:

Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, and Adam Zampa. Travelling reserve: Sean Abbott