Pace duo Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, along with middle-order batter Tim David, have been named in Australia’s provisional 15-player squad for the T20 World Cup, despite injury concerns.
Cummins has played just one international match since suffering a lumbar stress injury in July, when he participated in the Ashes-securing third Ashes Test in Adelaide. A scan on the pacer’s back later this month will determine his availability for the tournament.
Hazlewood missed the entire Ashes series due to hamstring and Achilles injuries. Meanwhile, David suffered a hamstring injury while playing for the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL.
“The T20 side has enjoyed a long run of recent success which enabled the panel to choose a balance of players across the variety of conditions Sri Lanka and India may present,” chief selector George Bailey said. He added, “Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Tim David are tracking well, and we are confident they will be available for the World Cup. This is a preliminary squad, so should changes need to be made, they will be ahead of the support period.”
Mitchell Marsh captains the group as Australia has opted for a spin-heavy combination, featuring Adam Zampa, Matthew Kuhnemann, Cooper Connolly, and all-rounders Glenn Maxwell and Matthew Short. Notably, Mitchell Owen is absent from the 15-man squad.
Cameron Green and Cooper Connolly are returning to the squad after missing the T20 series against India earlier in the summer. The side has also opted against including a left-arm fast bowler, following Mitchell Starc’s retirement from the format, while Spencer Johnson’s injury led to the selection of right-armer Xavier Bartlett over Ben Dwarshuis.
Australia will play three T20Is in Pakistan in late January as preparation for the World Cup, with a squad for the series yet to be announced.
Australia has been drawn in Group B alongside Ireland, Oman, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe. They will commence their group-stage matches in Sri Lanka, starting their campaign against Ireland on February 11 in Colombo.
Australia’s Squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup:
Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.