Injuries dent Australia’s bowling plans, Hazlewood delayed and Cummins sidelined

Australia will begin thei r T20 World Cup campaign without senior fast bowler Josh Hazlewood , who has been ruled out of the early part of the tournament as he continues rehabilitation for a lingering Achilles injury . The Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel, is prone to overuse injuries in fast bowlers and can take 6-12 weeks to heal fully.

National selector Tony Dodemaide said the team management decided it was more beneficial for Hazlewood to stay back in Sydney and recover in a familiar environment rather than rush his return overseas. The pacer is following a structured return to play programme after the injury, which had earlier forced him out of the 2025-26 Ashes series. While an exact date has not been confirmed, he is expected to join the squad after the preliminary league stage , once Australia complete their first four matches around February 20.

His absence adds to Australia’s growing fast bowling concerns. Captain Pat Cummins has already been ruled out of the entire tournament due to a persistent back injury, and Mitchell Starc is also sidelined with a shoulder issue, leaving the side without three of its most experienced quicks at the start of the competition.

With Hazlewood and Cummins unavailable, Australia’s bowling combination will rely heavily on Nathan Ellis, Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis , placing greater responsibility on the second line of seamers to deliver both with the new ball and at the death. Abbott has travelled as a reserve, particularly as Ellis is also returning from injury, underlining the selectors’ caution around workload management.

There was some positive news for the squad as Ellis, Tim David and Glenn Maxwell have arrived in Colombo and are set to join the team ahead of the tournament. Australia will open their campaign against Ireland on February 11 , with all preliminary matches scheduled in Colombo and Pallekele.

Drawn alongside Ireland, Oman, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe , Australia will aim to navigate the group stage despite the depleted pace attack. Much will depend on how quickly the makeshift bowling unit settles and whether Hazlewood can return in time for the knockout phase.