Star quick Pat Cummins has been ruled out of Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign, while Steve Smith has again been overlooked as selectors confirmed two changes to its 15-man squad.
Cricket Australia on Saturday night confirmed Cummins wouldn’t be fit for cricket’s global T20 event, which starts in Sri Lanka next weekend. Cummins has been replaced by Sydney Sixers left-armer Ben Dwarshuis.
And in a shock call, Adelaide Strikers star Matthew Short has been dropped from the squad, with Brisbane Heat’s Matthew Renshaw called up just days after making his T20I debut in Pakistan.
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“With Pat needing more time to recover from his back injury, Ben is a ready replacement who offers a left-arm-pace option as well as dynamic fielding and late-order hitting,” Australia selector Tony Dodemaide said.
“We believe his ability to swing the ball at good pace along with clever variations will be well suited to the conditions we expect and overall structure of the squad.
“Matt (Renshaw) has impressed in all formats of late, including in multiple roles in white ball formats for Australia, the Queensland Bulls and the Brisbane Heat.
“With the top order settled and spin heavy conditions expected in the pool stages in Sri Lanka, we also feel Matt provides extra middle-order support, with Tim David completing his return-to-play programme in the early phase of the tournament.
“As a left-hander, he (Renshaw) also offers a point of difference to the middle order batting.”
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AUSTRALIA T20 WORLD CUP 2026 SQUAD
Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
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