Australia’s Hazlewood ruled out of T20 World CupImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Josh Hazlewood has taken 79 wickets in 60 T20 internationals for AustraliaByTimothy AbrahamBBC Sport journalistPublished6 February 2026Australia seamer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the men’s T20 World Cup as he continues his recovery from injury.The 35-year-old has not played since mid-November having missed the Ashes against England with a combination of hamstring and Achillies tendon problems.Australia had initially named him in their 15-man squad for the World Cup in the hope he would be available midway through the tournament.
However, Cricket Australia national selector Tony Dodemaide reported that “trying to accelerate” Hazlewood’s recovery to get him fit to play a part in the latter stages would “carry too much of a risk”.
“We were hopeful Josh would be back to match fitness by the Super 8s stage but the just in indications [are] he is still some time away,” Dodemaide reported.
Hazlewood joins fellow fast bowler Pat Cummins as an absentee for the tournament, which starts this weekend and is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Australia Test captain Cummins was recently ruled out with a back injury having featured just once during the Ashes.
Bowling all-rounder Sean Abbott had previously been added to Australia’s World Cup squad as a travelling reserve but Australia have not formally added him to their squad.
“We will not be naming a replacement player immediately,” Dodemaide added.
“We feel we are well covered for the initial games so will make any later decisions based on priority need at the time.”
Australia’s first match is against Ireland in Colombo on 11 February.
