Australia’s preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup have taken a hit with pace-bowling all-rounder Pat Cummins ruled out of the tournament due to a lingering back injury. The 2021 champions confirmed two changes to their provisional 15-man squad on Saturday, just weeks before the global event begins in India and Sri Lanka on February 7.
Cummins, one of Australia’s most experienced leaders across formats, has been managing the issue for several weeks, and the medical team has advised a longer recovery window. In another notable call, selectors have dropped top-order batter Matthew Short from the initial squad as they reshuffle their balance ahead of the World Cup.
In their place, Australia have drafted in left-arm seamer Ben Dwarshuis and batting all-rounder Matt Renshaw. The changes reflect a tactical shift, with the team keen to add variety to their bowling attack and greater flexibility to the batting order.
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Chief selector Tony Dodemaide said Dwarshuis offers a valuable left-arm pace option, strong fielding, and late-order hitting—qualities expected to suit conditions in the subcontinent. He also highlighted Renshaw’s recent consistency across formats and his ability to slot into multiple roles in white-ball cricket.
WORLD CUP SQUAD 🔒
Mitch Marsh will lead our Aussie men’s team at the upcoming #T20WorldCup in India and Sri Lanka. pic.twitter.com/DlIaxxnMnG
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) January 31, 2026
Australia head into the T20 World Cup aiming to reclaim the title they last won in 2021. The reshaped squad will look to settle quickly, especially with a demanding schedule and varied conditions across India and Sri Lanka.
The Aussies are currently fine-tuning their combinations during a three-match T20I series in Pakistan, where they slipped to a 22-run defeat in the opener at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. With the tournament around the corner, these late squad calls underline Australia’s intent to arrive battle-ready despite the setback of losing a marquee name like Cummins.
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Australia T20 World Cup 2026 squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
