T20 World Cup 2026: Steve Smith added to Australia squad as Josh Hazlewood's replacement

Australia star batter Steve Smith has been added to the Australian T20 World Cup 2026 squad as Josh Hazlewood's replacement. Smith was called up to Sri Lanka to be on standby after Mitchell Marsh suffered a testicular injury prior to the Ireland game. The 36-year-old was officially included in the squad today and is available for the crucial Sri Lanka match tonight in Kandy.

Whether Smith will play or not is uncertain as Australia's full-time captain Marsh is recovering well and had a rigorous net session on the eve of the match along with Smith. Meanwhile, Marcus Stoinis who was hit on his left hand during the Zimbabwe game has been cleared of any injury. Notably, the all-rounder had come out to bat in the second innings of the same match which was perhaps indicative of the fact that the blow was not a serious one.

Selector Tony Dodemaide shed light on the inclusion of Smith. Dodemaide stated that since there were doubts over Marsh and Stoinis' participation it was prudent to add Smith in the mix.

"ICC regulations stipulate any squad change must be submitted and activated at least one day prior to a match. With Steve here, along with some uncertainty around Mitch and Marcus Stoinis, it made sense he [Smith] is activated and available for selection in time for the match, if required," said Dodemaide.

Smith's prime form in the Ashes and BBL

Smith had a highly productive Australian summer, starting from the Ashes. The right-hander was the fifth-highest run-scorer in the Test series, accumulating 286 runs from eight innings at an average of 57.20 and scoring two fifty-plus totals.

But, the quirky batter was on a different plane altogether in the BBL. The Sydney Sixers opener smashed his way to 299 runs in six innings at an average of 59.80 and a strike rate of 167.97. Remarkably, the veteran's tally included two half centuries and a scintillating hundred against the Sydney Thunder as well. It is not wrong to say that the Sixers campaign received a major boost when Smith joined them and played a key role in their reaching the finals.

Perhaps, it is because of Smith's current form that the selectors sent him as a standby and also the tracks in Sri Lanka will require a batter of his calibre to negotiate the bowlers. Australia badly need a revival to their campaign as the next two games against Sri Lanka and Oman are must-win for them.