Injury blow for Australia as Josh Hazlewood misses T20 World Cup 2026

Pacer Josh Hazlewood was disqualified from the T20 World Cup on Friday, dealing a serious blow to Australia ahead of the tournament. The speedster has not recovered in time for the 20-team event after missing the Ashes 2025–26 season. Although he was included in the original squad, he was still in Sydney when the team gathered in Sri Lanka last week. The 35-year-old was declared unfit just five days before Australia's first game against Ireland in Colombo, and as a result, he will not play in the tournament's 10th edition.

Tony Dodemaide, Australia's top selector, stated that although the team was optimistic about Josh Hazlewood's fitness for the tournament's final stretch, the bowler will now require even more time to recover from his injury. The Australians, meanwhile, are not in a rush to pick a substitute and will only do so in the last moments of the international event if necessary.

T20 World Cup 2026 Injury Update:

🚨AUSTRALIA IS IN BIG TROUBLE🚨

First Pat Cummins, and now Josh Hazlewood, have been ruled out of the T20 World Cup. Australia doesn't have a single main fast bowler playing in this T20 World Cup.

Now let's see how they play this one.pic.twitter.com/hSK5ESagz7

— Akash (@klrvikash) February 6, 2026

The development was verified by national selector Tony Dodemaide, who stated that the paceman's prospects have shifted. He said, “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 we will make any later decisions based on priority need at the time"

In encouraging news, Australian management has deemed star players Tim David and Nathan Ellis fit for the league stage. However, it has also been announced that experienced spinner Adam Zampa is available for Australia's tournament opening match against Ireland in Group B on February 11.

Watch this space for more cricket news and updates.