New Delhi, Jan 31: Pat Cummins will miss the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 due to an ongoing back injury, dealing a blow to Australia’s bowling attack. The 2021 champions finalised their 15-member roster today, replacing the star pacer with Ben Dwarshuis. Matthew Renshaw has also joined the squad, taking the place of Matthew Short in the final selection.
Mitchell Marsh will take the reins as captain for the tournament, which runs from February 7 to March 8. The team’s leadership expressed confidence in the new additions, particularly regarding their ability to handle the specific pitch conditions expected in Sri Lanka and India.
Selector Tony Dodemaide noted that the new arrivals bring specific skills that complement the existing lineup. “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,” Dodemaide said. He added that Renshaw’s presence is vital for middle-order stability.
The squad is scheduled to face Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Oman in the group stages following their opener against Ireland. Regarding the bowling changes, Dodemaide mentioned that Dwarshuis’s ability to swing the ball at a good pace makes him a “ready replacement” for the injured Cummins. Officials directly said the focus now shifts to the opening match in Colombo as the team seeks to reclaim the world title.
