T20 World Cup: Australia Worried Over Hazelwood’s Absence

Australia’s campaign at the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup has been hit by a significant setback, with fast bowler Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the early matches due to hamstring and Achilles injuries. The 35-year-old veteran, who has not featured in competitive cricket since November, will remain sidelined as he continues rehabilitation in Sydney.

Hazlewood’s absence adds to Australia’s injury concerns, following earlier blows to their pace attack. Pat Cummins has already withdrawn from the T20 World Cup owing to injury, while Mitchell Starc has retired from the format, meaning the team could potentially start the tournament without two of its three frontline pacers.

Australia’s squad has already arrived in co-host nation Sri Lanka, where they will begin preparations for the tournament. Reserve pacer Sean Abbott has been included in the travelling squad as cover in Hazlewood’s absence.

In a statement on Monday, selector Tony Dodemaide said:
“We felt it would be more effective for Hazlewood to continue his rehabilitation under familiar conditions in Sydney before joining the squad in Sri Lanka.”

There is currently no definitive timeline for Hazlewood’s return, and uncertainty remains over whether he will be fit to participate later in the tournament. Should he miss World Cup action, it would mark a major blow for Australia, depriving them of the opportunity to field their top three pacers—Cummins, Hazlewood, and Starc—together.

Australia’s form leading into the World Cup has also raised concerns. They suffered a 3–0 whitewash in the recent T20 series against Pakistan, culminating in a record 111-run defeat in the final match—a margin unprecedented in Australia’s T20 history. Several key players, including pacer Nathan Ellis, all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, and Tim David, did not feature in that series but are expected to join the squad in Sri Lanka.

Australia will open their Group B campaign on 11 February in Colombo against Ireland. Other group opponents include hosts Sri Lanka, Oman, and Zimbabwe. The schedule is as follows:

With a patchy lead-up to the tournament and the potential absence of key bowlers, Australia will need to find stability quickly if they are to contend for a third T20 World Cup title. The fitness of Hazlewood will be one of the pivotal factors in determining how competitive their pace attack can be.