Pat Cummins will miss Australia's T20 World Cup campaign after selectors decided the pace bowler needs more time to recover from a persistent back injury. Ben Dwarshuis has received a late call-up to the squad, with Australia abandoning hope of having Cummins available for the tournament in Sri Lanka and India.
Matt Renshaw, who made his T20 international debut two days ago in Pakistan, has also been added to the squad as a replacement for Matt Short. Despite a remarkable late-season Big Bash League cameo for Sydney Sixers, Steve Smith was overlooked for selection, with selectors appearing to decide the Test veteran is no longer part of their plans in the 20-over format.
Australia selector Tony Dodemaide said Dwarshuis offers a left-arm pace option and dynamic fielding, while Renshaw provides middle-order support. “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,” Dodemaide said. “Matt has impressed in all formats of late, and as a left hander, he offers a point of difference to the middle order batting.”
Cummins’ only match since the tour of the Caribbean in July was Australia’s Ashes-clinching win in Adelaide in December. The Test and ODI captain will not risk his body before a demanding 2027 schedule that includes a tour of India, an away Ashes, an ODI World Cup and a possible World Test Championship final. Australia will also tour South Africa in September for the first time since 2018.
Australia face Pakistan in another T20 before their World Cup opener against Ireland on 11 February in Colombo. The squad: Mitch Marsh (capt), 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.
