T20 World Cup 2026: Australia has announced its 15-man preliminary squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 on January 1, 2026. This tournament will start jointly in India and Sri Lanka from 7th February. Special attention has been given to the spin bowlers in the team, so that they can get advantage on the pitches of the subcontinent. There are many experienced players in this team led by captain Mitchell Marsh, but some are also facing the threat of injury.
Why the emphasis on spinners?
Considering the spin friendly pitches of India and Sri Lanka, Australia has given place to four spin bowlers. Apart from leg spinner Adam Zampa, players like left arm spinner Matthew Kuhneman and all-rounder Cooper Connolly are included. Cameron Green can also off spin.
Chief selector George Bailey said that considering the recent success, diversity has been brought into the team, which will be useful in different situations. There is no left arm fast bowler in the team, while Mitchell Starc has already retired.
Injured players got a chance
Pat Cummins is struggling with a back injury, but he has been kept in the team. His fitness will depend on the scan to be conducted at the end of this month. Similarly, Josh Hazlewood is recovering from hamstring problem and Tim David is also injured.
Bailey expressed confidence that these three players will be fit till the World Cup. Josh Inglis is the only wicketkeeper, no backup was kept. However, according to ICC rules, changes in the team are possible till January 31.
New faces made place
The biggest surprise is the selection of Cooper Connolly, who did not play in the recent T20 matches. Matthew Short, Kuhneman and Xavier Bartlett can debut in the World Cup. Spencer Johnson was out due to injury, while Bartlett was preferred in place of Ben Dwarshius.
The first match will be held on 11 February
Australia is in Group B, where Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman are its rivals. All group matches will be held in Sri Lanka. The team will play its first match against Ireland on 11 February at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Before the World Cup, there will also be a series of three T20 matches against Pakistan.
Australia’s T20 team
Mitchell Marsh (captain), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Matthew Kuhneman, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
Comments are closed.