Australia have named a spin-heavy 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, with Mitchell Owen left out and several players set to make their tournament debut.
Australia have announced a spin-heavy 15-member squad for the upcoming
T20 World Cup 2026, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7. The selectors have clearly kept the conditions in mind, with slow bowlers expected to play a major role on spin-friendly pitches in the subcontinent.
The biggest surprise in the
Australian squad is the omission of big-hitting all-rounder Mitchell Owen, who has been a regular in recent months. The Hobart Hurricanes star missed out due to the return of Cameron Green and the presence of experienced all-rounder Marcus Stoinis.
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Another notable decision was the absence of a left-arm fast bowler, with Mitchell Starc, who retired from T20 internationals last year. Spencer Johnson has also been ruled out due to a back injury. Instead, the selectors have backed Xavier Bartlett, choosing him ahead of Ben Dwarshuis for the final fast-bowling spot.
Cooper Connolly gets a surprise call
Cooper Connolly is the surprise inclusion in the squad, despite not featuring in Australia’s last 12 T20 internationals. Several players are set to make their T20 World Cup debuts, including Bartlett, Matthew Short and spinner Matthew Kuhnemann. Captain Mitchell Marsh will lead the team.
The squad also includes experienced names such as Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa and Travis Head. Australia have been placed in Group B and they will face Ireland on February 11, Zimbabwe on February 13, hosts Sri Lanka on February 16 and Oman on February 20.
Injury concerns still remain for a few key players. Cummins is awaiting the results of a scan on his back, while Hazlewood and Tim David are recovering from hamstring injuries. The ICC has allowed teams to make changes to their squads until January 31, giving Australia some flexibility.
Explaining the squad selection, chairman of selectors George Bailey said Australia’s recent success in T20 cricket allowed them to pick a balanced squad suited to different conditions. He added that the team management is confident that key players will be fit in time 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. This is a preliminary squad so should changes need to be made they will ahead of the support period,” Bailey said.
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Before the tournament, Australia will play a three-match T20I series against Pakistan, which will serve as preparation for the World Cup campaign. The squad of the series will be announced later.
Australia squad: 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
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