Australia’s preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has suffered another significant blow, with Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the early stages of the tournament due to injury. The setback comes close on the heels of Pat Cummins’ withdrawal because of a persistent back issue, leaving the defending champions without two pillars of their fast-bowling attack.
With Mitchell Starc having already retired from T20 internationals, this will be the first global T20 event where Australia take the field without their iconic pace trio — Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood — a combination that has defined their white-ball success over the past decade.
Australia’s national selector, Tony Dodemaide, confirmed the development on February 6, just a day before the tournament opener. While the team management had hoped Hazlewood would regain match fitness in time for the Super 8 stage, medical updates suggest the seamer is still some distance away from full recovery. As a result, Cricket Australia has opted not to rush him back, prioritising his long-term fitness over short-term gains.
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“We were hopeful Josh would be back to match fitness by the Super Eights, but the latest indications are that he is still some time away,” Tony Dodemaide said. “Trying to accelerate his return would carry too much risk. We will not be naming a replacement immediately as we feel the squad has enough cover for the initial matches.”
Hazlewood’s absence is particularly damaging given his outstanding form in recent months. The tall quick was one of the standout performers in the IPL 2025, finishing as the third-highest wicket-taker with 22 scalps and playing a key role in his franchise’s title-winning campaign. Beyond raw numbers, Hazlewood brings composure, control at the death, and the ability to apply pressure in high-scoring T20 contests — qualities that Australia will sorely miss in crunch situations.
🚨 Josh Hazlewood will miss the T20 World Cup
He has run out of time to regain full fitness
Australia are NOT naming a replacement immediately. A decision will be made based on priority and need later in the tournament pic.twitter.com/WGnnvtiu5C
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) February 6, 2026
With Cummins and Hazlewood unavailable, the leadership of the bowling attack now rests heavily on Adam Zampa. The experienced leg-spinner will be expected to provide breakthroughs in the middle overs while also shouldering the responsibility of controlling run flow.
Australia’s pace resources look thin, with Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis and Nathan Ellis forming a relatively inexperienced fast-bowling unit at a World Cup level. The all-round abilities of Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green offer some balance, with both capable of contributing useful overs, but the lack of proven elite fast-bowling firepower could test Australia’s depth in pressure matches. How quickly this restructured bowling group adapts may well determine Australia’s fortunes in the T20 World Cup 2026.
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Australia’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Australia squad: Mitchell 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.
