Australia’s build-up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has hit another speed bump, with senior fast bowler Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the early phase of the tournament due to an ongoing Achilles injury. Cricket Australia confirmed that Hazlewood will remain in Sydney to continue his rehabilitation rather than travel with the squad to Sri Lanka.
For a team already navigating a tricky injury landscape, the decision underlines a cautious, long-term approach over short-term risk. Josh Hazlewood’s latest setback comes after a frustrating sequence of fitness issues. The right-arm seamer was first sidelined by a hamstring strain that kept him out of the England series, only to aggravate an Achilles problem during his return-to-play program.
While Josh Hazlewood had sounded optimistic about making the World Cup on time, selectors and medical staff have chosen not to rush him. Selector Tony Dodemaide confirmed there is no fixed timeline for Hazlewood’s arrival in Sri Lanka, with player welfare and sustained performance the priority.
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To cover the gap, Australia have added Sean Abbott to the travelling party as fast-bowling insurance. Abbott’s inclusion is a pragmatic call: he stayed on with the group after the Pakistan tour, knows the systems, and brings valuable tournament experience. Dodemaide explained that with Nathan Ellis completing his return to play, the team wanted immediate depth in case another quick pulled up sore.
Josh Hazlewood could miss the early part of #T20WorldCup
🩺 To remain in Sydney for Achilles rehab
🔁 Sean Abbott added as travelling reserve
✈️ Maxwell, Ellis & Tim David to join in Colombo
❓ Hazlewood in doubt for Feb 11 opener vs Ireland pic.twitter.com/popWA4mqjV— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) February 2, 2026
Sean Abbott’s versatility across formats and familiarity with subcontinental conditions further strengthen the decision. Australia’s pace resources have already been stretched. Pat Cummins is unavailable after failing to recover fully from a back issue, while Mitchell Starc has stepped away from T20 internationals. Ben Dwarshuis earned a spot in the final 15 following Cummins’ withdrawal, adding left-arm variety to a reshaped attack.
Fitness management remains a theme across the squad. Ellis recently returned from a hamstring problem and missed the Hobart Hurricanes’ BBL finals, Tim David has not featured since December after his second hamstring injury in eight months, and Glenn Maxwell was rested from the Pakistan tour as part of ongoing ankle management. Adam Zampa also reported groin tightness during the final T20I against Pakistan, though team management described it as precautionary.
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Despite the setbacks, Australia are pressing on with their World Cup plans. A warm-up fixture against the Netherlands in Colombo will help fine-tune combinations before their tournament opener against Ireland on February 11. For a team chasing another global title, managing bodies smartly now could be the difference later in the campaign.
