Sports Desk, New Delhi. Australia has suffered a major setback before the start of the T20 World Cup 2026. Leading fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the upcoming tournament due to a hamstring injury. Cricket Australia said on Friday that Josh Hazlewood has not been able to recover from his hamstring injury in time and due to this he was ruled out.
However, the name of replacement for 35-year-old Josh Hazlewood has not been announced yet. Cricket Australia said that the name of the substitute will be announced keeping the tournament in mind. This is a double blow for Australia, because before this Pat Cummins has also been ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026.
Australia has two fit fast bowlers in the form of Ben Dwarhuis and Xavier Bartlett. Cricket Australia selector Todd Dodmade was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au, 'We were hopeful that Josh Hazlewood would be fit for the Super Eight stage, but the latest indications have come that he is far from achieving full fitness. Accelerating their program will increase the risk.
Dodmade further said, 'We are not announcing the name of Josh Hazlewood's replacement immediately. We feel that our team is adequately prepared for the initial matches and later the name of the player will be decided as per the demand of time.
Big change in Australia
This will be the first major ICC World Cup tournament since March 2011, in which the Australian team will be without Mitchell Starc (retired from T20 format), Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. Captain Mitchell Marsh said that despite the absence of key fast bowlers, the Australian team has depth.
what did marsh say
Australia has to play its group matches in Sri Lanka, which will start from February 11. Australia will depend on its spinners Matt Kuhneman, Glenn Maxwell and Cooper Connolly. Marsh said, 'We have a lot of depth in our team and the boys have played a lot of cricket. We are full of confidence and the players have been selected for their job as per the situation.
Marsh also said, 'Matthew Kuhneman has been fantastic for us. We have Adam Zampa and many spin all-rounders, like other teams. So I think all our departments are covered and now we need to stick to our plan.
The Australian team is as follows:
Mitchell Marsh (captain), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarhuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
Traveling Reserve – Shawn Abbott.
Also read- Pat Cummins out of T20 World Cup-2026, Steve Smith also did not get a place; Australia announced 15 players
Also read- T20 World Cup 2026: Team India be careful! Australia's pace pair may return
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