Cummins misses out, no place for Smith as Australia unveil 15-member T20 WC squad

Australia have been forced into late changes to their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad, with Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury as the selectors finalised their 15-member squad for the event starting in India and Sri Lanka on February 7.

Cummins, who is continuing his recovery from the injury, has been replaced by left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis. Cummins has not played since the Adelaide Test against England in mid-December, which was his only game since last July, when he initially had symptoms of a lumbar stress injury in his lower back. He was rested after the Adelaide Test with the Ashes secured, with a view to rebuilding for the T20 World Cup. Despite the latest scans in January showing positive signs, Cricket Australia (CA) said Cummins “needs more time” to recover fully.

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“With Pat needing more time to recover from his back injury, Ben is a ready replacement who offers a left-arm-pace option as well as dynamic fielding and late-order hitting,” Australia selector Tony Dodemaide said. “We believe his ability to swing the ball at good pace along with clever variations, will be well-suited to the conditions we expect and overall structure of the squad.

In another change from the initial squad, Matthew Short has been omitted, with Matthew Renshaw earning a spot on the back of strong recent form. The move reflects the selectors’ intent to bolster the middle order, given Australia’s depth in top-order options.

“Matt has impressed in all formats of late, including in multiple roles in white ball formats for Australia, the Queensland Bulls and the Brisbane Heat. With the top order settled and spin heavy conditions expected in the pool stages in Sri Lanka, we also feel Matt provides extra middle-order support, with Tim David completing his return-to-play programme in the early phase of the tournament.

“As a left-hander, he (Renshaw) also offers a point of difference to the middle order batting.”

Steven Smith is the other high-profile absentee from the final squad. Despite a prolific Big Bash League campaign, where he amassed 299 runs in six innings at an average of 59.80 and a strike rate of 167.97, the veteran batter has missed out, though he remains in contention should an injury open up a place.

“Steve is an exceptional player who has worked very hard on his short-form game and was rewarded with a great stint in the Big Bash batting at the top for the Sixers,” Dodemaide said.

“The current T20 top order has been very successful building into this tournament so we feel we’re well-placed in that area. If a replacement is required Steve is very much in contention and this has been communicated with him,” Tony added.

There was positive news on the fitness front, with Josh Hazlewood, Tim David and Nathan Ellis all declared fit for the World Cup. Hazlewood has not featured since sustaining a hamstring and Achilles injury ahead of the Ashes, while David missed the bulk of the BBL and the subsequent series against Pakistan due to a hamstring issue. Ellis, meanwhile, sat out the BBL finals and the Pakistan tour after picking up a hamstring niggle.

The rest of the 15-member squad offers a familiar side, with a settled opening combination in skipper Mitchell Marsh and vice-captain Travis Head, with Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell following them. Josh Inglis is the sole wicketkeeper picked in the squad.

Australia are currently in Pakistan playing a three-match T20I series in the build-up to the World Cup. Placed in Group B, they begin their campaign against Ireland on February 11 in Colombo, followed by matches against Zimbabwe (February 13 in Colombo), Sri Lanka (February 16 in Pallekele) and Oman (February 20 in Pallekele).

Australia T20 WC squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa