Australia have suffered another major setback in their preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026. After Pat Cummins, Australia have now lost the services of mercurial fast bowler Josh Hazlewood due to injury. With both fast bowlers ruled out and Mitchell Starc out of T20Is, this will be the first time Australia will play a world tournament without their famous ‘Big Three’.
Australian national coach Tony Dodemaide announced the development on Friday, February 6, just a day before the start of the tournament. He said the team was hoping for Hazlewood’s participation at the Super 8 stage, but the fast bowler was unlikely to be fit by then.
“We were hoping that Josh would be back for the Super Eights stage to match his fitness, but the latest indications are that he is still some time away,” Dodemaide said. “Trying to speed up his program would bring too much risk.”
“We will not be naming a replacement immediately. We feel we are well covered for the opening games and any subsequent decisions will be made based on current need.”
In early January, Australia announced that their top fast bowler, Pat Cummins, would not take part in the 2026 T20 World Cup, forced to withdraw from the tournament due to a lingering back injury sustained after Australia’s tour of the West Indies last year.
Australia 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.
Travel reserve: Sean Abbott.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
February 6, 2026