Overview:
Australia have been hit hard by injuries, with Pat Cummins unavailable for the tournament. Josh Hazlewood hasn't recovered from injury and Tim David is also battling fitness issues.
Australia lost all three T20Is against Pakistan, which showed their shortcomings ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The visitors managed just 108 and 96 runs in the last games of the series.
Australia haven’t been able to dominate the rivals on low and slow pitches. Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Tariq and Abrar Ahmed were spot on and troubled the Aussie batters. The series defeat raised questions around Australia’s preparations for the global tournament.
However, former captain Ricky Ponting is not worried and feels the Mitchell Marsh-led team will qualify for the semi-finals of the World Cup 2026.
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“Australia have a good chance like other top teams. The squad looks good,” Ponting said while speaking to the ICC.
“India are the favourites for the titles because of the conditions and the talent they have in their team. They will be hard to bat but I think Australia will play in the semi-final,” he added.
Australia have been hit hard by injuries, with Pat Cummins unavailable for the tournament. Josh Hazlewood hasn’t recovered from injury and Tim David is also battling fitness issues.
Ponting is backing Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell to deliver for Australia. Marsh’s team will start their campaign on February 11 against Ireland. All their league stage matches are in Sri Lanka, where pitches at the R Premadasa Stadium and Pallekele are expected to assist the spinners.
Australia’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad
Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Travelling reserve: Sean Abbott