Australia have suffered a major blow ahead of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with Josh Hazlewood officially ruled out of the tournament due to a lingering hamstring injury. Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed that the experienced fast bowler has run out of time to regain full match fitness, forcing the selectors to make a tough call just days before the competition begins.
The development significantly weakens Australia’s bowling depth and dents their hopes of lifting the T20 World Cup trophy for the first time since 2021.
Why Josh Hazlewood Missed the 2026 T20 World Cup
Cricket Australia had earlier indicated that Josh Hazlewood might miss only the opening matches of the tournament, which begins on February 15, and could return during the latter stages. However, that plan has now been abandoned.
Selector Tony Dodemaide clarified the situation on Friday (February 6), stating that although the selectors were optimistic about Hazlewood’s recovery, recent medical updates suggested otherwise.
“We were optimistic Josh would reach match fitness for the Super 8 stage, but recent signs suggest he is still quite a while off, and hastening his program poses excessive risk.”
With player welfare in mind, CA decided against accelerating Hazlewood’s rehabilitation, ultimately leading to his exclusion from the squad.
Hamstring Injury Continues to Trouble Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood’s injury issues began prior to the 2025–26 Ashes, where he suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out of the entire series. At the time, there were quiet hopes that he might return for at least one Test, but that comeback never materialised.
The same injury has now ruled him out of the T20 World Cup, extending a frustrating period on the sidelines for one of Australia’s most reliable fast bowlers.
Australia’s Pace Attack Faces Serious Concerns
With Hazlewood unavailable, Xavier Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis are currently the only fully fit frontline pace bowlers in the squad. This lack of depth is a growing concern as Australia prepare for a demanding tournament schedule.
Cricket Australia has confirmed that no immediate replacement will be announced.
“We are not going to announce a substitute player right away. We believe we are sufficiently prepared for the early matches, and will make subsequent decisions based on the immediate needs then.”
Sean Abbott Remains a Possible Backup Option
In-form fast bowler Sean Abbott, who was part of the 17-member Australian squad that toured Pakistan for a recent T20I series, could be called up if the team management feels the need to bolster the pace attack later in the tournament.
For now, selectors appear content to assess conditions and workloads during the early stages before making any changes.
Absence of Josh Hazlewood Compounds Australia’s Injury Woes
Josh Hazlewood’s exclusion comes on top of another major setback, with Pat Cummins also unavailable due to a stress injury that forced him to miss a significant portion of the Ashes series.
Together, these absences leave Australia without two of their most experienced fast bowlers at a crucial global event.
Hazlewood’s Proven Impact in Subcontinent Conditions
The loss of Josh Hazlewood is particularly damaging given his effectiveness in subcontinent conditions. During IPL 2025, Hazlewood was in outstanding form, claiming 22 wickets at an average of 17.55.
He played a key role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s championship-winning season, delivering match-winning performances at different stages of the tournament. His ability to adapt, maintain discipline, and strike at crucial moments made him one of the standout pacers of the season.
Australia’s Group Stage Fixtures
Australia will begin their T20 World Cup campaign on February 11 against Ireland. They will also face Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Oman during the group stage as they look to secure a place in the knockout rounds despite their injury setbacks.
Australia’s Squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup
- Mitch 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
What Josh Hazlewood’s Absence Means for Australia
The exclusion of Josh Hazlewood represents a significant challenge for Australia as they chase another T20 World Cup title. With a depleted pace attack and no immediate replacement named, the team will need to rely heavily on its remaining bowlers and all-rounders to compensate for the loss.
As the tournament unfolds, Australia’s depth and adaptability will be tested — and the absence of one of their most dependable fast bowlers could prove decisive.
✅Quick FAQs
❓Why is Josh Hazlewood not playing the 2026 T20 World Cup?
Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury that has not healed in time for the tournament.
❓Did Cricket Australia expect Hazlewood to return later in the tournament?
Yes, selectors initially hoped he would be fit for the Super 8 stage, but medical updates ruled out that possibility.
❓Will Australia name a replacement for Josh Hazlewood?
Cricket Australia has stated that no substitute will be announced immediately.
‘Varanasi’: Rajamouli’s 2027 Mega-Saga That Connects Ancient Legends With Futuristic Cinema
November 16, 2025
Varanasi:S.S. Rajamouli is the filmmaker who made big hits like RRR and the Baahubali series. He has now shown the world his biggest movie so far. The new film is called “Varanasi.” This Telugu-language movie mixes time-travel, Hindu stories, and big scenes in a way not seen before. It is a big step for Indian movies.The announcement happened in Hyderabad.
Tata Sierra: All-New SUV Comes Out Before November 25 Launch
November 15, 2025
The new Tata Sierra is here. It was shown to people even before its official launch on November 25. Many people feel excited about this. The car looks good, and it has some fresh features that are talked about a lot. If you want to know what Tata brings to the table this time, keep an eye out for more
Srinagar Blast: 9 Killed, 32 Injured in Accidental Explosion at Nowgam Police Station
November 15, 2025
Srinagar Blast:The tragic blast at the Nowgam Police Station in Srinagar happened on Friday night, November 14, 2025. This event has left people in the whole area shocked.J&K Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat said that the explosion happened by accident. It took place when officials were taking care of seized explosives from Faridabad. This has made many people
Maruti Suzuki Recalls 39,506 Grand Vitara cars because there is a problem with the fuel indicator
November 15, 2025
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd is calling back 39,506 Grand Vitara SUVs. They found a possible problem with the fuel level and the warning light. This is to make sure customers stay safe and the cars keep working well.The company said that the Grand Vitara cars made between December 9, 2024, and April 29, 2025, are the ones affected. Why Is
Yamaha FZ-Rave and Bajaj Pulsar N160: Price, Specs, and Features
November 14, 2025
If you want to get a stylish motorcycle in India that doesn’t cost too much, the Yamaha FZ-Rave and Bajaj Pulsar N160 are two bikes you should look at. Both of these bikes are made for people who want good value, steady performance, and current features, but still want to keep the price low. Yamaha just put out the FZ-Rave
‘De De Pyaar De 2’: OTT Release Details, Cast, Runtime & Everything You Need to Know
November 14, 2025
Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh are all set to return with their much-awaited romantic comedy ‘De De Pyaar De 2’, and the excitement around the film is already high. With its theatrical release scheduled for November 14, 2025, fans are now equally curious about the film’s digital premiere. What is ‘De De Pyaar De 2’ About? ‘De De Pyaar
‘I’m Going Quiet’: Warren Buffett Ends Six-Decade Tradition of Writing Berkshire Hathaway Letters
November 11, 2025
Warren Buffett, the man who leads Berkshire Hathaway, said he will stop making the company’s famous yearly letters to people who own shares. He has done this for sixty years. A lot of people in the country saw a big change because of these letters. Buffett said he is “going quiet.” People in business liked these letters as they were
Ireland vs Bangladesh: Test-Starved Sides Ready to Dine on Red-Ball Action in Sylhet
November 11, 2025
Ireland vs Bangladesh : After being away from playing red-ball cricket for a long time, Bangladesh and Ireland will face each other again in Sylhet. This game is a fresh chance for both teams to play Test matches, since they have mostly played short-format games lately. Both teams want to get back their form and feel good about their play.
All Her Fault Ending Explained, Release Schedule, and How to Watch — Full Story Breakdown, Cast, and True Story Link
November 9, 2025
The show All Her Fault has become popular because of its strong acting, feelings, and surprising plot. It is a suspense drama based on Andrea Mara’s best-selling book. The story follows a mother who is desperate to find her missing son. Image Credit:Sky TV
‘Jana Nayagan’: First Single ‘Thalapathy Kacheri’ Ignites Fan Frenzy Ahead of Pongal 2026 Release
November 8, 2025
With the release of its first single, “Thalapathy Kacheri,” Jana Nayagan’s eagerly anticipated musical journey has officially begun, setting the stage for a lavish fan celebration. Image Credit: T-Series