Australia have suffered a major setback just a day before the start of the T20 World Cup, with star pacer Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the entire tournament, Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed. The defending champions will also be without Pat Cummins, sidelined with a back injury, and Mitchell Starc, who retired from T20 internationals.
The tenth edition of the T20 World Cup begins on Saturday, 7 February, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Australia will play their opening match five days later, on 11 February, against Ireland. Hazlewood had a stellar 2025 season, taking 12 wickets at an economy of 7.37 in T20s, including eight wickets in the powerplay, and helping Royal Challengers Bangalore win their first IPL title. His absence is a significant blow to Australia’s pace attack.
CA selectors had hoped Hazlewood would regain fitness in time for the Super Eight stage, but hurried recovery would carry high risk. “We anticipated he could return for the later stages, but more time is needed. Pushing him now could worsen the injury,” said selector Tony Dodemaide.
Other squad members Nathan Ellis and Tim David are now fit. Spinner Adam Zampa, who felt discomfort during the final match against Pakistan, will be available for Australia’s first World Cup game. Shaun Abbott, a reserve in the squad, may also feature to cover Hazlewood’s absence.
This marks the first ICC tournament since the 2009 Champions Trophy in which Australia will compete without Hazlewood, Cummins, Starc, Steven Smith, or David Warner. Despite these challenges, Australia will rely on captain Mitchell Marsh and the depth of their squad to navigate the tournament.
Australia T20 World Cup squad:
Mitchell Marsh (captain), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Conly, Tim David, Ben Darwish, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa; reserves: Shaun Abbott.
