In a major blow to Australia just a week before the start of the 2026 T20 World Cup, fast bowler Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the tournament with a lingering back injury. The issue also troubled Cummins during the recent Ashes series, eventually forcing Australia to take a cautious call on his availability.
Australia have named their 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup on Saturday, January 31, with Mitchell Marsh set to lead a strong side aiming to win their second T20 World Cup title. The absence of Cummins is the most notable omission in the squad, but he is not the only senior player missing.
Veteran batsman Steve Smith and explosive all-rounder Matt Short were also left out of the final 15 as the selectors opted for a balance towards flexibility and bowling depth ahead of the tournament.
Australian T20 World Cup Team
Mitchell Marsh (c), 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.
Selector Tony Dodemaide confirmed left-arm paceman Ben Dwarshuis had been drafted in as a replacement for Cummins, citing both tactical balance and fitness concerns.
“With Pat needing more time to recover from his back injury, Ben is a ready replacement who offers left-arm pace along with dynamic fielding and late-order hitting,” Dodemaide said.
“We believe his ability to swing the ball at good pace combined with smart variations will suit the conditions we expect and the overall structure of the team well,” he added.
Pat Cummins back injury
Cummins, Australia’s Test and ODI captain, had an extended layoff ahead of the five-match Ashes series due to a hip injury. The problem limited him to just one Test during the series, raising concerns about his workload and long-term fitness.
Widely regarded as one of the premier fast bowlers of this generation, Australia will miss Cummins’ experience and tactical qualities, especially in demanding conditions. The fast bowler also captains SunRisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League and guided the franchise to second place in the 2024 season, underscoring the impact he brings as both a bowler and a leader.
Key indicators from the Australian team
Australia enters the T20 World Cup with a lot of firepower. Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh are set to open the team’s innings, followed by Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell and Tim David. The side has plenty of spin options in the bank led by experienced spinner Adam Žampa.
Australia have focused heavily on all-round skills, with Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis supporting the fast bowling unit, an attack that will be led by Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Ellis.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
January 31, 2026
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