Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood is optimistic of making a return in the 2026 T20 World Cup that will be played in India and Sri Lanka from February 7. The 35-year-old has been out of action since November when he picked up a hamstring injury while playing for the New South Wales in Sheffield Shield. He was expected to return to action in the second Ashes Test, but sustained an achilles issue while recovering from his previous injury and was ruled out for the entire series.
Hazlewood to miss more matches
Despite the injury concerns, Hazlewood was added to Australia's squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Though he is on Sydney Sixers' supplementary list, he will miss the latter stages of the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) season as he is undergoing the rehabilitation process. He will also not be available for Australia's T20I series against Pakistan scheduled to take place later this month.
Hazlewood is instead focused on making his return in the T20 World Cup. He himself provided a big update on his fitness and said that his recovery is going as planned. He further said that he is on track to make his comeback soon.
“Everything’s going to plan. We took a few extra weeks once we couldn’t make the Test matches. Running’s going well and all the strength work is going well, so I’m on track," Hazlewood told ESPNcricinfo.
Hazlewood on his injury struggles
Hazlewood also reflected on his recurring injury woes in the last few years. The pacer has missed a lot of games due to his injury woes and has struggled to stay fit for long periods.
"Sometimes, when one thing goes and the other thing resurfaces. But it [the ankle] was probably another thing I'd been just managing over the last few years, and then it just creeps up. I guess when you start back up, sometimes your body doesn't like that stopping and getting it going [again]. So probably not as much of a dive into these two little niggles," Hazlewood stated.
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Australia's squad for 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, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa