Australia Reveals Star-Studded Lineup for 2026 T20 World Cup Showdown

Australia has included injured fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, along with power-hitter Tim David, in its provisional squad for the T20 World Cup scheduled for February-March. The squad has been expanded to enhance spin options in accordance with the conditions anticipated in Sri Lanka and India.

Cummins, who hasn’t participated in an international T20 match since June 2024, was rested from the last two Ashes matches against England to address his back issues, having only played in the third test of the series. His availability for the World Cup will be decided following final scans later this month, as announced by Cricket Australia. Teams have until January 31 to finalize their squads.

Hazlewood missed the entire Ashes series due to an Achilles injury while also recovering from a hamstring strain. Meanwhile, David sustained a new hamstring injury during the Big Bash League (BBL) on Boxing Day.

Australia seems set on a spin-heavy strategy for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, as reflected in a tweet from @cricketcomau: “Australia has gone spin-heavy for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.”

Chair of selectors George Bailey expressed optimism about the injured players’ recovery: “They are tracking well and we are confident they will be available for the World Cup.”

Surprising additions to the squad include left-arm spinners Matt Kuhnemann and Cooper Connolly, who have just one T20 wicket between them. They will join seasoned leg-spinner Adam Zampa, with Glenn Maxwell and Matthew Short also providing additional spin options.

“Changes can be made to this preliminary squad if necessary during the support period,” Bailey noted.

Connolly, from the BBL, has been in remarkable batting form this year, scoring 170 runs in four games with a strike rate of 166.

Australia is set to play its group-stage matches in Sri Lanka, led by Mitchell Marsh as captain. Their World Cup journey will start against Ireland on February 11.

Squad:
Mitchell Marsh (captain), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

Published on January 1, 2026