Australia’s T20 World Cup preparations have taken a major hit after confirmation that fast bowler Josh Hazlewood will miss the tournament in Sri Lanka and India with injury concerns.

 

According to reports, the 35-year-old has struggled to recover from persistent fitness issues and has not played competitive cricket since November. Hazlewood injured his hamstring during a Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales against Victoria, before a problem with his Achilles tendon ruled him out of the entire Ashes series.

 

Despite the concerns, selectors named Hazlewood in Australia’s 15-man World Cup squad, and he travelled to Sri Lanka with the team. However, team management later decided he would not be fit in time to take part in the tournament.

 

Chief selector Tony Dodemaide said, “We were hopeful Josh would be back to match fitness by the Super 8 stage but the latest indications are that he is still some time away and accelerating his program will carry too much risk."

 

Dodemaide added that Australia would delay naming a replacement. “We will not be naming a replacement player immediately. We feel we are well covered for the initial games so will make any later decisions based on priority need at the time.”

 

Hazlewood’s absence further weakens Australia’s pace attack, with Test captain Pat Cummins also unavailable due to a back injury. Australia will begin the tournament with Xavier Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis as the only fully fit specialist fast bowlers in the squad.

 

However, Nathan Ellis is expected to return next week after recovering from a hamstring injury that cut short his Big Bash League (BBL) campaign. 

 

Sean Abbott has travelled with the squad as a reserve and remains an option if Australia decide to make changes.

 

Australia enter the tournament under pressure after a difficult build-up that included a string of injuries and a 3-0 series defeat to Pakistan last week.

 

Australia will open their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on February 11.

 

Australia’s squad for the T20 World Cup includes captain Mitch Marsh along with Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa, while Sean Abbott has been named as the travelling reserve.