Cummins ruled OUT of T20 World Cup

Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

This decision as reported by News Corp was taken as a precautionary one by Cricket Australia to ensure that the fast bowler does not aggravate his back injury any further.

During the 2025/26 Ashes series, the New South Welshman only played the third Test in Adelaide, where Australia secured the series win.

With Cummins' absence, Ben Dwarshuis was added to the 15-man squad. Mitchell Marsh will continue to captain the white-ball side.

In other selection news, Matthew Renshaw has taken the spot of Matt Short with the 15-man squad now officially confirmed by Cricket Australia.

In a statement, selector Tony Dodemaide said that Cummins needed more time to recover from his back injury and felt that Dwarshuis could offer something different to the team as a left-hander.

He also noted that Renshaw's selection has come off the back of some strong form across all three formats.

“With Pat needing more time to recover from his back injury, Ben is a ready replacement who offers a left arm pace option as well as dynamic fielding and late order hitting," he said.

“We believe his ability to swing the ball at good pace along with clever variations will be well suited to the conditions we expect and overall structure of the squad.

“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.

“With the top order settled and spin heavy conditions expected in the pool stages in Sri Lanka, we also feel Matt provides extra middle order support, with Tim David completing his return to play program in the early phase of the tournament.

“As a left hander, he (Renshaw) also offers a point of difference to the middle order batting.”

Australia's campaign will begin on February 11 when they play Ireland for their first group game.

Australia's 15-man squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup

• Mitchell Marsh (Perth Scorchers/Fremantle Cricket Club) (c)
• Xavier Bartlett (Brisbane Heat/Gold Coast Cricket Club)
• Cooper Connolly (Perth Scorchers/Scarborough Cricket Club)
• Tim David (Hobart Hurricanes/Claremont-Nedlands Cricket Club)  
• Ben Dwarshuis (Sydney Sixers/Sutherland Cricket Club)
• Cameron Green (Subiaco-Floreat Cricket Club)
• Nathan Ellis (Hobart Hurricanes/Lindisfarne Cricket Club)  
• Josh Hazlewood (Sydney Sixers/St George Cricket Club)
• Travis Head (Adelaide Strikers/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club)
• Josh Inglis (Perth Scorchers/Joondalup Cricket Club)
• Matthew Kuhnemann (Brisbane Heat/Clarence Cricket Club)
• Glenn Maxwell (Melbourne Stars/Fitzroy Doncaster Cricket Club) 
• Matthew Renshaw (Brisbane Heat/Toombul Cricket Club)
• Marcus Stoinis (Melbourne Stars/Scarborough Cricket Club)
• Adam Zampa (Melbourne Renegades/Sutherland Cricket Club)