Australia have suffered a massive blow ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 as their veteran speedster Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the marquee event, which is scheduled to start from February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. Notably, this is the second player who will miss the T20 World Cup, as Pat Cummins has already ruled out of the mega event.
Hazlewood, who has not played a match since injuring his hamstring in the Sheffield Shield on November 12 was initially named in the World Cup squad despite him remaining in Sydney when the group assembled in Sri Lanka this week.
Cricket Australia on Josh Hazlewood
But just five days out from the Ausstalia's opening match against Ireland in Colombo, national selector Tony Dodemaide said the outlook for the 35-year-old has now changed.
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"We were hopeful Josh would be back to match fitness by the Super Eights stage but the latest indications (are) he is still some time away," Dodemaide said. "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 will make any later decisions based on priority need at the time."
Notably, with Hazlewood and Cummins' absence and Mitchell Starc, who retired from T20 Internationals last year this will be the first World Cup since 2011 where Australia will feature without the pace trio.
Australia's T20 World Cup 2026 Group Stage schedule
| Date (Local / AEDT) | Opponent | Venue | Time (AEDT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 11 | Australia vs Ireland | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 8:30 PM |
| Feb 13 | Australia vs Zimbabwe | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 4:30 PM |
| Feb 16 / Feb 17 | Australia vs Sri Lanka | Pallekele International Stadium, Kandy | 12:30 AM |
| Feb 20 / Feb 21 | Australia vs Oman | Pallekele International Stadium, Kandy | 12:30 AM |
Australia's T20 World Cup 2026 squad
Australia squad: Mitch 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. Travelling reserve: Sean Abbott