Big names return as Australia announces provisional squad for T20 World Cup

Australia named their provisional 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The headline inclusions are pacers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and all-rounder Tim David, all of whom are making a comeback after injury.

Cummins, who is recovering from a back injury and featured only in the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, will undergo a scan later this month that will ultimately determine his place in the final squad. Meanwhile, Hazlewood missed the Ashes due to Achilles soreness following a hamstring injury, while Tim David is working his way back after sustaining a grade-two hamstring injury during a Big Bash League match on Boxing Day.

Despite the fitness concerns, the chair of selectors, George Bailey, confirmed that all three players are tracking well and expressed confidence in their availability for the World Cup.

“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. Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Tim David are tracking well and we are confident they will be available for the World Cup," he said as quoted by ICC.

This is a preliminary squad, so should changes need to be made: George Bailey

Bailey stressed that the squad announcement remains preliminary, leaving room for adjustments should players fail to clear fitness assessments closer to the tournament.

“This is a preliminary squad, so should changes need to be made, they will be made ahead of the support period," Bailey added.

Australia has opted for a spin-heavy attack, considering the conditions in India and Sri Lanka. Adam Zampa leads the spin attack, supported by Matthew Kuhnemann and Cooper Connolly, while all-rounders Glenn Maxwell and Matthew Short are key additions. 

Mitchell Marsh has been retained as captain and will once again shoulder leadership duties. Notably, Cameron Green and Connolly return after missing the recent T20I series against India. Furthermore, Josh Inglis has been picked as the lone specialist wicketkeeper in the squad.

The squad does not include a left-arm fast bowler, following Mitchell Starc’s retirement from T20Is and Spencer Johnson’s injury. Instead, right-arm seamer Xavier Bartlett has been selected, edging out Ben Dwarshuis. Mitchell Owen and Dwarshuis are among those to miss out.

Australia will contest their Group B matches in Colombo and Pallekele, facing Ireland, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Oman in the group stage. A separate squad for the three-match T20I series against Pakistan, scheduled before the World Cup, will be announced later.

Australia's provisional squad for T20 World Cup 2026

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