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Josh Hazlewood Ruled Out of T20 World Cup 2026 with Hamstring Injury

Veteran Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the upcoming T20 World Cup due to a hamstring injury. National selector Tony Dodemaide stated the team will not immediately name a replacement, opting to assess needs as the tournament progresses. This leaves Australia's pace bowling resources thin, with Pat Cummins also injured. The squad will initially rely on Xavier Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis as its frontline fast bowlers.

Key Points: Josh Hazlewood Out of T20 World Cup 2026, Replacement TBA

  • Hazlewood ruled out with hamstring injury
  • Replacement not named immediately
  • Australia's pace attack depleted
  • Squad leans on Bartlett, Dwarshuis
2 min read

Josh Hazlewood ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026, replacement to be named later

Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026 due to a hamstring injury. Selector Tony Dodemaide confirms a replacement will be named later.

Josh Hazlewood ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026, replacement to be named later
"We were hopeful Josh would be back to match fitness by the Super Eights stage but the latest indications (are) he is still some time away. - Tony Dodemaide"

New Delhi, February 6

Veteran Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7. Tony Dodemaide, a selector for the Australian men's national team, confirmed Hazlewood's unavailability due to a hamstring injury and noted a replacement for him will be named later, as per cricket.com.au.

Hazlewood had originally been included in Australia's T20 World Cup 2026 squad, just five days before Australia's opening match against Ireland in Colombo, national selector Tony Dodemaide revealed that the 35-year-old paceman's situation has now changed.

"We were hopeful Josh would be back to match fitness by the Super Eights stage but the latest indications (are) he is still some time away. Trying to accelerate his program will carry too much of a risk. We will not be naming a replacement player immediately. We feel we are well covered for the initial games so will make any later decisions based on priority need at the time," Dodemaide said as quoted by cricket.com.au.

Hazlewood joins fellow pacer and captain Pat Cummins on the injury list for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, leaving the Mitchell Marsh-led squad light on pace options at the start of the tournament. Currently, right-arm pacer Xavier Bartlett and left-arm quick Ben Dwarshuis are the only fully fit frontline fast bowlers. Sean Abbott, travelling as a reserve, could be added to the squad as Hazlewood's replacement.

Adam Zampa, Matt Kuhnemann, and Cooper Connolly are Australia's primary spin options for the tournament.

Australia's 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup squad:

Mitch Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.

Travelling reserve: Sean Abbott.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a neutral fan, it's sad to see such a key player miss a World Cup. Injuries are the worst part of sport. Hope he recovers soon.
A
Aditya G
Honestly, their pace attack looks thin now. Bartlett and Dwarshuis are good but lack big tournament experience. This is a golden chance for India in the group stage if we face them.
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Priya S
The tournament hasn't even started and they've lost Cummins and Hazlewood? That's some seriously bad luck. Their spin attack with Zampa will have to carry a huge load now.
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Karthik V
With all due respect to the Aussies, their management should have had a clearer backup plan. Waiting to name a replacement seems like indecision. You need a settled unit going into a World Cup.
M
Michael C
Sean Abbott is a solid replacement. He's experienced and can bat a bit too. Australia's depth is still pretty good, never count them out.

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