Australia Announces 2026 T20 World Cup Squad

Australia has officially revealed its 15-member squad for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India, with white-ball captain Mitchell Marsh set to lead a side stacked with spin options but missing several big names.

Selectors have overlooked powerful all-rounder Mitchell Owen despite his strong recent form for Hobart Hurricanes, while also choosing to go without a left-arm fast bowler following the retirement of Mitchell Starc and the injury to Spencer Johnson.

Instead, Brisbane Heat pacer Xavier Bartlett has been preferred ahead of fellow left-armer Ben Dwarshuis for the final specialist pace slot.

In one of the more eye-catching calls, young all-rounder Cooper Connolly has forced his way into the squad despite not featuring in any of Australia’s last 12 T20 internationals.

Top-order dasher Matthew Short, left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, and Bartlett are all in line to make their World Cup debuts when the tournament begins on February 7.

Australia’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad

Mitch Starc, who has featured in five of the past six global T20 events, stepped away from international T20s late last year and is unavailable for selection.

Fast-bowling spearhead Pat Cummins is awaiting scan results on a back issue later this month, while Josh Hazlewood and big-hitting finisher Tim David are both returning from hamstring problems.

One notable omission is a reserve wicketkeeper. Josh Inglis is the only specialist gloveman in the squad.

Under ICC regulations, Australia can tinker with their squad up to January 31 if any player fails to prove full fitness.