Cummins, Hazelwood, David named in Australia's provisional squad for T20 World Cup

The injured trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Tim David has been included in Australia's preliminary squad for 2026 T20 World Cup. Australia’s chairman of selectors, George Bailey, expressed confidence in the trio’s return, suggesting that all of Cummins, Hazlewood, and David are being monitored closely.

Cummins, currently recovering from a back injury, will undergo a scan later in the month to assess his fitness and finalise his availability in the final squad. Cummins returned to Australia’s XI for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide after missing the first two games in Perth and Brisbane, both of which Australia won by eight wickets. He withdrew from the squad as Australia gained an unassailable 3-0 lead with an 82-run win in Adelaide.

As for David, he picked up a grade-two hamstring injury during a Big Bash League match, while Hazlewood has been on the sidelines due to an Achilles issue after enduring a hamstring injury.

'Confident they will be available for World Cup' - Chief selector George Bailey on Cummins, Hazlewood, and David

"The T20 side has enjoyed a long run of recent success, which enabled the panel to choose a balance of players across the variety of conditions Sri Lanka and India may present," Bailey said. "Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Tim David are tracking well, and we are confident they will be available for the World Cup. This is a preliminary squad, so should changes need to be made, they will ahead of the support period."

Also included in the preliminary squad is all-rounder Cooper Connolly, who has been in fine form in the BBL for Perth Scorchers, racking up 170 runs at a strike rate of 166.66 and fine wickets at an economy of 7.62. Connolly, the left-hand batter and left-arm spinner, has played six T20Is so far, batting only twice and picking a solitary wicket.

Meanwhile, Mitchell Owen and Ben Dwarshuis have not been selected. With Mitchell Starc retired and Spencer Johnson injured, Dwarshuis’ omission means that Australia will not have a left-arm pacer in the squad. That said, he could be called up later in case Cummins or Hazlewood fail to recover.

Owen, who debuted last year against West Indies and has played 13 matches so far, is another prominent name missing from the team. He made a promising start to his career before his form tapered off in the lead-up to the squad selection, including a poor start at BBL this season.

Australia will commence their World Cup campaign on February 11 against Ireland, followed by games against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Oman.  

Australia will face Pakistan in a three-match T20I series in January to prepare for the World Cup. The squad for that series will be announced later.

Australia squad for 2026 T20 World Cup

Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa