Australia suffered a significant blow ahead of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as star fast bowler Pat Cummins has been officially ruled out of the tournament due to a lingering back injury. The news came as selectors finalised Australia’s 15-member squad for the global event, which begins on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.

Cummins, one of Australia’s premier pace bowlers and all-format leaders, had been included in the provisional T20 World Cup squad with the hope that he could recover in time to contribute in the later stages of the competition. However, Cricket Australia confirmed on Saturday that he has not fully overcome a persistent lumbar stress injury in his lower back, forcing him to miss the tournament entirely.

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The injury first surfaced last year before the 2025-26 Ashes series, limiting Cummins to just one Test match in that campaign.

Despite undergoing an intensive rehabilitation program, the 32-year-old pacer has continued to nurse the issue throughout the Australian summer, including missing games in Australia’s ongoing T20I series against Pakistan.

While earlier reports hinted he might return after the first couple of World Cup matches, selectors have now concluded he needs more time to recover fully and prepare for the rigours of fast bowling at the international level.

In Cummins’s absence, left-arm quick Ben Dwarshuis has been named as his replacement in the final squad. Selectors praised Dwarshuis’s ability to swing the ball at good pace, his fielding prowess and his valuable lower-order batting, believing he provides a blend of skills suited to the expected spin-friendly conditions in Sri Lanka and India.

Cummins’s absence is sure to be felt, with Australia losing not just a frontline bowler but also an experienced campaigner who often makes crucial breakthroughs.

The decision also means Mitchell Marsh will continue to lead the side in the T20 format, with the team looking to overcome this setback as they chase their second T20 World Cup title.

Selectors also made other changes to the squad, including the omission of Matthew Short and the inclusion of Matt Renshaw, while veteran Steve Smith missed out despite strong domestic form.