Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, just one day before the tournament is set to begin in India and Sri Lanka.

National selector Tony Dodemaide confirmed on Friday that the 35-year-old pacer failed to recover from a lingering hamstring injury. Hazlewood’s withdrawal leaves the 2021 champions significantly depleted in the pace department, following the earlier loss of regular captain Pat Cummins to a back injury.

"We were hopeful Josh would be back to match fitness by the Super Eights stage, but the latest indications (are) he is still some time away. Trying to accelerate his program will carry too much of a risk," Dodemaide said, as quoted by cricket.com.au.

Hazlewood was originally named in the 15-man squad despite missing the recent Pakistan tour to continue rehabilitation in Sydney. However, with Australia’s opening match against Ireland in Colombo scheduled for February 11, selectors determined he would not be ready in time.

Pace Dilemma for Mitchell Marsh

The absence of Hazlewood and Cummins marks a historic shift for the Australian side. This will be the first major ICC tournament since 2011 to feature none of the famed "Big Three" pace trio, following Mitchell Starc’s retirement from the T20 format last year.

Australia currently has only two fully fit frontline fast bowlers:

  • Xavier Bartlett (Right-arm pacer)
  • Ben Dwarshuis (Left-arm quick, who replaced Pat Cummins)

All-rounders Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis are expected to take on larger bowling workloads, while Nathan Ellis continues his own return-to-play program.

Strategy and Squad Depth

Despite the injury setbacks, the Australian hierarchy has decided against naming an immediate replacement. Travelling reserve Sean Abbott remains the likely candidate to join the main squad should the need arise later in the tournament.

"We will not be naming a replacement player immediately. We feel we are well covered for the initial games, so will make any later decisions based on priority need at the time," Dodemaide added.

Given the slow, spinning conditions expected in Sri Lanka and India, the Mitchell Marsh-led squad is leaning heavily on its slow-bowling arsenal, featuring Adam Zampa, Matthew Kuhnemann, and Cooper Connolly, with support from Glenn Maxwell.

Australia’s Updated T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Mitch 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.

With inputs from ANI