Massive setback! Pat Cummins ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026 as Australia announce squad

NEW DELHI: Australia suffered a significant setback ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with Pat Cummins ruled out of the tournament due to injury. The Australian men’s team confirmed their 15-member squad for the marquee event, scheduled to take place in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, with Mitchell Marsh named captain of the 2021 champions.


Cummins has failed to make a full recovery from a lingering back injury and will therefore miss the global tournament, according to the ICC website. Top-order batter Matthew Short has also missed out on selection in the original squad. Ben Dwarshuis and Matthew Renshaw have been drafted in as replacements.

Australia squad for T20 World Cup 2026:

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.

Selector Tony Dodemaide backed the inclusions of Dwarshuis and Renshaw, saying both players bring valuable attributes to the squad.

"With Pat needing more time to recover from his back injury Ben is a ready replacement who offers a left-arm pace option as well as dynamic fielding and late-order hitting. We believe his ability to swing the ball at good pace along with clever variations will be well suited to the conditions we expect and overall structure of the squad," Dodemaide said as quoted by the ICC website.

He also highlighted Renshaw’s recent form and versatility across formats.

"Matt (Renshaw) has impressed in all formats of late, including in multiple roles in white ball formats for Australia, the Queensland Bulls and the Brisbane Heat. With the top order settled and spin heavy conditions expected in the pool stages in Sri Lanka, we also feel Matt provides extra middle order support, with Tim David completing his return to play program in the early phase of the tournament," Dodemaide added.

Australia have been placed in Group B alongside Ireland, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Oman. Their World Cup campaign will begin against Ireland on February 11 at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium.


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