Is Pat Cummins Out of the T20 World Cup?
Synopsis
Australia faces a setback as their key bowler, Pat Cummins, will miss the T20 World Cup due to injury. With changes to the squad, the team remains focused on the upcoming matches. Can they overcome this challenge? Find out more!
Key Takeaways
Pat Cummins is out due to injury.
Two changes made to the Australian squad.
Josh Hazlewood returns after injury.
Australia is in Group B with Ireland and others.
First match against Ireland on February 11.
Sydney, Jan 31 (NationPress) Australia's leading fast bowler Pat Cummins has been excluded from the T20 World Cup due to an injury, prompting Cricket Australia to implement two changes to their provisional squad as they finalize the 15-member team for the highly anticipated T20 event, set to begin on February 7.
Cummins, alongside Josh Hazlewood and Tim David, was initially included in the provisional squad, pending fitness evaluations. The fast bowler has not played since his lone Ashes Test appearance in Adelaide, after suffering a lumbar stress injury in July. Unfortunately, he hasn't fully recovered from his persistent back issues and will miss the landmark tournament in Sri Lanka and India.
Additionally, top-order batsman Matthew Short has also been removed from the original 15-player squad. However, Josh Hazlewood, who missed the entire Ashes series due to hamstring and Achilles injuries, has been reinstated in the T20 World Cup squad. Tim David is also back in the lineup after missing the tour of Pakistan.
Leading the team is Mitchell Marsh, with Australia opting for a spin-heavy approach that includes Adam Zampa, Matthew Kuhnemann, Cooper Connolly, and all-rounders Glenn Maxwell and Matt Renshaw. Notably, Mitchell Owen is absent from the 15-man squad.
Despite the absence of Cummins, the team's fast bowling division remains formidable with Hazlewood at the helm, supported by Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, and Ben Dwarshuis, who has stepped in for Cummins.
Australia finds itself in Group B alongside Ireland, Oman, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe. They will commence their group stage matches in Sri Lanka, starting their campaign against Ireland on February 11 in Colombo.
Currently, the team is engaged in a three-match T20I series against Pakistan, where Mitchell Marsh's squad faced a defeat in the first match by 22 runs on Thursday.
A summary of the Australia squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup includes:
Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, and Ben Dwarshuis.
Point of View
It's crucial to highlight the implications of Cummins's absence on the Australian squad. His experience and leadership are invaluable, leaving a significant gap. However, the inclusion of Hazlewood and other strong players presents an opportunity for the team to adapt and show resilience. It will be interesting to see how they perform in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Pat Cummins ruled out of the T20 World Cup?
Pat Cummins was ruled out due to a lingering back injury, specifically a lumbar stress injury that has prevented him from fully recovering.
Who has replaced Cummins in the squad?
Ben Dwarshuis has been brought into the squad to replace Pat Cummins.
When does Australia start their T20 World Cup campaign?
Australia will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on February 11 in Colombo.
What changes were made to the Australian squad?
Matthew Short has been omitted from the squad, while Josh Hazlewood and Tim David have been included.
What is the significance of the T20 World Cup for Australia?
The T20 World Cup is a major international tournament, and Australia aims to showcase their cricketing prowess and compete for the championship.
