Australia’s preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 have suffered a significant blow, with experienced fast bowler Josh Hazlewood officially ruled out of the tournament just days before their campaign begins.
The development comes only five days ahead of Australia’s opening fixture against Ireland, further complicating the team’s build-up to the global event.
Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed Hazlewood’s withdrawal, stating that a final decision regarding his replacement will be announced in due course.
His absence adds to Australia’s growing injury concerns, particularly after Pat Cummins was also sidelined earlier, leaving a noticeable gap in the team’s pace attack.
Hazlewood’s unavailability is a major setback considering the form he carried into 2026.
The right-arm pacer enjoyed an impressive 2025 season, playing a pivotal role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Indian Premier League (IPL) title-winning campaign and delivering strong performances in the T20I series against South Africa, New Zealand and India.
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Over the year, he picked up 12 wickets at an average of 16.58, maintaining an economy rate of 7.37, while proving especially effective in the powerplay with eight wickets at an economy of 6.72.
Among his standout performances were match-defining spells of 3 for 27 against South Africa in Darwin and 3 for 13 against India in Melbourne, underlining his value in high-pressure situations.
However, injuries have plagued Hazlewood’s recent months. He initially sustained a hamstring strain during the final Sheffield Shield match leading up to the Ashes and later encountered Achilles tendon issues during his recovery.
Despite aiming to regain full fitness in time for the T20 World Cup, Cricket Australia revealed that the latest medical evaluations indicated he was still not ready for competitive cricket.
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