Australia’s T20 World Cup preparations have been dealt a devastating blow just five days before their opener against Ireland.
Pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood has been officially ruled out of the tournament, joining captain Pat Cummins on the sidelines. The withdrawal caps off a chaotic lead-up for the Aussies, who are now scrambling to finalize their best XI amidst a raft of injury concerns.
A Dominant Year Cut Short
Hazlewood’s absence is a massive setback given his imperious form throughout 2025. He was arguably the world’s premier T20 bowler leading into the tournament:
- IPL Success: Instrumental in guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to the title.
- International Domination: Starred in series wins against South Africa, New Zealand, and India.
- The Stats: He claimed 12 wickets at 16.58 in 2025 with an economy of just 7.37.
- Powerplay King: His impact with the new ball was lethal, taking eight wickets at an economy rate of 6.72, including match-winning spells of 3/27 against South Africa and 3/13 against India.
The Injury Timeline
Despite hopes that Hazlewood would recover in time for the Super 8 stage, his body has not cooperated. His summer was derailed early by a hamstring strain during the Sheffield Shield, followed by persistent Achilles issues during his rehabilitation.
Although Hazlewood told ESPNcricinfo in January that “everything was going to plan,” he did not travel to Colombo with the squad.
“The latest indications are he is still some time away and accelerating his program will carry too much risk,” said selector Tony Dodemaide.
The Replacement Strategy: Wait and See
Interestingly, Australia has chosen not to name an immediate replacement.
- Sean Abbott, currently travelling as a reserve, is the frontrunner to step up.
- Selectors are keeping their options open to “get creative” later in the tournament depending on the team’s needs after the initial group games.
A Squad Walking the Wounded List
The team’s depth is being tested like never before. A warm-up match against the Netherlands was washed out on Thursday, which spared Australia from fielding the only 11 fit players they had available.
- Adam Zampa: Reported groin tightness but is confirmed available for the opener against Ireland.
- Nathan Ellis & Tim David: Both managing hamstring issues but are reportedly “on track” for the group stage.
End of an Era?
Hazlewood’s withdrawal marks a significant historical shift. This will be the first time since the 2009 Champions Trophy that Australia has entered an ICC tournament without at least one of their “Golden Generation” stars: Hazlewood, Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Steven Smith, or David Warner.
