Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the upcoming T20 World Cup, dealing a major blow to the defending champions ahead of the global tournament in India and Sri Lanka.
Hazlewood has not played a match since suffering a hamstring and Achilles injuries during the Sheffield Shield on November 12. Despite remaining in Sydney while the squad assembled in Sri Lanka earlier this week, the 35-year-old was initially named in Australia’s World Cup squad in the hope he would recover in time.
However, just five days before Australia’s opening match against Ireland in Colombo, officials confirmed he will not be fit enough to play without risking further injury.
“We were hopeful Josh would be back to match fitness by the Super 8 stage, but the latest indications are he is still some time away, and accelerating his program will carry too much risk,” Australia selector Tony Dodemaide said on Friday.
Dodemaide added that Australia will not immediately name a replacement player. “We feel we are well covered for the initial games, so we will make any later decisions based on priority need at the time,” he said in a statement released by Cricket Australia.
Hazlewood’s absence further weakens Australia’s pace attack. With Mitchell Starc having retired from T20 internationals and Pat Cummins also ruled out due to a back injury, this will be the first World Cup in more than a decade without at least one member of Australia’s famed pace trio.
Cricket Australia confirmed that fast bowler Nathan Ellis and batter Tim David are on track to be available for the group stage. Leg spinner Adam Zampa is also expected to be available for Australia’s opening match against Ireland in Colombo next week.
Given the expected conditions early in the tournament, Australia are likely to lean heavily on spin bowling, with Zampa supported by Matt Kuhnemann and Cooper Connolly as frontline spin options.
Australia, the 2021 T20 World Cup champions, enter the tournament following a disappointing 3–0 loss in a warm-up T20 series against Pakistan.