What's new

ICC T20 World Cup (2026): Australia announces squad [Update@ Post63]

BouncerGuy

BouncerGuy

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Aug 29, 2023
Runs
41,992
Preliminary Australian squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India

The National Selection Panel (NSP) today announced a provisional 15-player squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India.

Provisional Australian squad:

Mitchell Marsh (Perth Scorchers/Fremantle Cricket Club) (c)
Xavier Bartlett (Brisbane Heat/Gold Coast Cricket Club)
Cooper Connolly (Perth Scorchers/ Scarborough Cricket Club)
Pat Cummins (Sydney Thunder/Penrith Cricket Club)
Tim David (Hobart Hurricanes/Claremont-Nedlands 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 Short (Adelaide Strikers/Northcote Cricket Club)
Marcus Stoinis (Melbourne Stars/Scarborough Cricket Club)
Adam Zampa (Melbourne Renegades/Sutherland Cricket Club)

Pat Cummins, Cameron Green and Cooper Connolly return to the squad having missed the most recent T20 Series against India.

Chair of Selectors George Bailey said: “The T20 side has enjoyed a long run of recent success which enabled the panel to choose a balance of players across the variety of conditions Sri Lanka and India may present.

“Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Tim David are tracking well and we are confident they will be available for the World Cup.

“This is a preliminary squad so should changes need to be made they will ahead of the support period.”

A squad for the three game T20 Series against Pakistan which precedes the World Cup will be named at a later date.”
 
Australia play all of their group games in sri Lanla

Where is the anchor?? Where is the spin tackler????
 
Australia don't need a specialist anchor as most of their players are adept at Strike rotation
 
Mitch Owen is the only real miss but it isn't that surprising given his recent form
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
Connolly has been fantastic in the BBL so far. He has earned his place..
Click to expand...
I get that. But he didn't do much in T20 internationals from memory. Usually, they don't pick guys who do well in leagues alone.

But having said that, he has great temperament for someone so young and his bowling is useful as well
 
Rana said:
@Major @Kianig89 @BouncerGuy @Raja Ishtiaq

Who is the anchor in this team for 140-160 conditions?
Click to expand...

It's like comparing apples and oranges. Australia have batsmen of a different class compared to us and don't need anchors.

It's like when you were using the example of India of dropping GIll. How is that relevant to Pakistan? India has an abundance of batting talent. Pakistan not so much.

Our so called attacking batsmen are glorified sloggers who are too reckless. This is why playing two anchors will not be a bad idea for us so that when one fails the other is there to ensure we bat the full 20 overs yaar.
 
Raja Ishtiaq said:
It's like comparing apples and oranges. Australia have batsmen of a different class compared to us and don't need anchors.
Click to expand...
What kind of nonsense is that?

They are playing on the same turfs as Pakistan in the T20 World Cup! It’s you clowns who claim there will be 140-160 pitches!

So where are their anchors and spin negotiators??? They picked none!
 
Kianig89 said:
Australia don't need a specialist anchor as most of their players are adept at Strike rotation
Click to expand...
What?!?!

How hard is it to take singles with 5 fielders on the boundary post powerplay???? Who can’t do that in Pakistan??????
 
Rana said:
What kind of nonsense is that?

They are playing on the same turfs as Pakistan in the T20 World Cup! It’s you clowns who claim there will be 140-160 pitches!

So where are their anchors and spin negotiators??? They picked none!
Click to expand...

Already answered this
Raja Ishtiaq said:
Our so called attacking batsmen are glorified sloggers who are too reckless. This is why playing two anchors will not be a bad idea for us so that when one fails the other is there to ensure we bat the full 20 overs yaar.
Click to expand...
 
Rana said:
So you insist on rubbish?
Click to expand...

You don't get it. Let me explain in terms of football as it might be easier for you to comprehend.

Let's take the Premier League as an example. Wolves can desire to play like Man City but they can't because they don't have the players of the same quality.

Same with Pakistan. We CANT play like Austalia. We DONT have the talent to be able to drop someone with the ability of Gill.

Come to your senses!
 
Rana said:
I don’t buy that bull$hit

Pakistan can and will play like champions. We have a legacy.

I will not allow the fans of a low league mindset player determine what we can and can’t do. Is that clear?
Click to expand...

Calm down lad.

If Gill was a Pakistani player he would have been our number one t20 batsman. Fact lol

Can't compare ourselves with the likes of India and Australia. Stop embarrassing yourself.
 
Raja Ishtiaq said:
Calm down lad.

If Gill was a Pakistani player he would have been our number one t20 batsman. Fact lol

Can't compare ourselves with the likes of India and Australia. Stop embarrassing yourself.
Click to expand...
By that logic, if Rizwan and Babar were Indian, they wouldn’t have had a single international cap.

Rizwan wouldn’t even qualify for their local riksha driver league.
 
Rana said:
What?!?!

How hard is it to take singles with 5 fielders on the boundary post powerplay???? Who can’t do that in Pakistan??????
Click to expand...
Everyone can take singles, babar azam couldnt even score 120 against india and 130 against zimbabwe
 
Rana said:
By that logic, if Rizwan and Babar were Indian, they wouldn’t have had a single international cap.

Rizwan wouldn’t even qualify for their local riksha driver league.
Click to expand...

Ramadhan Cup is his true level
 
Rana said:
By that logic, if Rizwan and Babar were Indian, they wouldn’t have had a single international cap.

Rizwan wouldn’t even qualify for their local riksha driver league.
Click to expand...

Yeah don't agree with that. I accept that they would not find a place in the India's t20 team.

But this is not the case here. Rizwan and Babar are Pakistani and therefore find places in our national t20 squad at the very least...
 
Raja Ishtiaq said:
Yeah don't agree with that. I accept that they would not find a place in the India's t20 team.

But this is not the case here. Rizwan and Babar are Pakistani and therefore find places in our national t20 squad at the very least...
Click to expand...
I don't think rizwan can even take place in even pakistan team.... that Asia cup final 2023 lost by his snail batting.... the guy couldn't even hit boundaries on powerplays now a days...
 
jnaveen1980 said:
Cooper Connolloy is an exciting prospect.
Click to expand...
Nikhil_cric said:
Cummins, Connolly, Kuhnemann - not sure about these 3 in an Australian World T20 squad
Click to expand...
I'm watching the BBL for the first time for betting purposes. Connolly is a very good player. He can play both fast and spin balls well. He can also play an anchor role when needed.

When I first saw him play in the Champions Trophy match against India, I thought he was just another slogger who hadn't touched a single ball Before threw away his wicket.

He is better prospects than fraud overhyped Owen, konstas etc.

:kp
 
Raja Ishtiaq said:
Just the same guys and their obsession. Rizwan lives in their heads rent free
:rizwan
Click to expand...
It’s not an obsession, it’s to make sure false propaganda is nullified.

It was you people who couldn’t stop crying during the Asia cup demanding the return of two crap players!!!
 
The Bald Eagle said:
Josh Philippe should have been given a chance
Click to expand...
Only 15 slot available and they already pick best possible player's. This is very strong squad.

Australia vs india - The final of 2026 world T20.( If both nit faced each other in semi).

:kp
 
Rana said:
Australia play all of their group games in sri Lanla

Where is the anchor?? Where is the spin tackler????
Click to expand...
Anchors still have a role in T20 but the requirement of what is expected from an anchor has changed completely.

Even an anchor should be batting at a SR between 145-150 for most of their innings.
 
jamie smith fan said:
Tbh there is no need to drag rizbar into every discussion and giving them unnecessary limelight
Click to expand...
It’s highly pertinent here because if I pull up the other threads where these were campaigning for one if not both to return for “sri lankan conditions”.

Well explain how Australia are not following the same vision here??
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Devadwal said:
Only 15 slot available and they already pick best possible player's. This is very strong squad.

Australia vs india - The final of 2026 world T20.( If both nit faced each other in semi).

:kp
Click to expand...
That is Adam Gilchrist's prediction. He says Australia will reach the final. I don't disagree. They have restructured their line up. They have two gun bowlers. Josh, Zampa. In place of Starc they have batting all rounders. Cummins is not a great T20 bowler though. But he can strike some seirous blows especially in Indian conditions.
 
Rana said:
It’s highly pertinent here because if I pull up the other threads where these chawwals were campaigning for one if not both to return for “sri lankan conditions”.

Well explain how Australia are not following the same vision here??
Click to expand...
U cant compare aussie batters with pak batters.
We have to understand our limits.
 
jnaveen1980 said:
That is Adam Gilchrist's prediction. He says Australia will reach the final. I don't disagree. They have restructured their line up. They have two gun bowlers. Josh, Zampa. In place of Starc they have batting all rounders. Cummins is not a great T20 bowler though. But he can strike some seirous blows especially in Indian conditions.
Click to expand...
It will be Aussies for sure and either India and South Africa who I feel are underrated a bit.
 
jamie smith fan said:
U cant compare aussie batters with pak batters.
We have to understand our limits.
Click to expand...
I’m talking about the strategy. The supposed requirement for anchors. Why have Australia complete ignored it, whereas this propaganda has been going on since the announcement of Pakistan’s games in Sri Lanka that they will need batters who can handle 140-160 runs conditions??

Australia play SL, Zimbabwe and Ireland in these conditions. If the conditions are as deadly for spin as being made out by those who are campaigning for this…. Then there is a good chance Australia will lose against SL in their home and maybe slip up against Zimbabwe or Ireland. They were not exactly convincing in the 2024 World Cup group stages where I think there was a game or two which they were saved by Stoinis.

Then again, I ask….have they got it right or are Pakistan about to get it right with 2 if not 3 anchors?
 
Rana said:
I’m talking about the strategy. The supposed requirement for anchors. Why have Australia complete ignored it, whereas this propaganda has been going on since the announcement of Pakistan’s games in Sri Lanka that they will need batters who can handle 140-160 runs conditions??

Australia play SL, Zimbabwe and Ireland in these conditions. If the conditions are as deadly for spin as being made out by those who are campaigning for this…. Then there is a good chance Australia will lose against SL in their home and maybe slip up against Zimbabwe or Ireland. They were not exactly convincing in the 2024 World Cup group stages where I think there was a game or two which they were saved by Stoinis.

Then again, I ask….have they got it right or are Pakistan about to get it right with 2 if not 3 anchors?
Click to expand...

I completely agree. It’s better to adopt the right brand of cricket and give yourself a chance of winning than playing an outdated brand of cricket and hope to fluke it with your bowlers bailing you out every time. The scores are now getting higher as the balance continues to shift towards the batsmen, so it would be stupid to merely rely on bowlers when like 80% of contests are higher scoring (180+).

Sri Lanka have lesser players than Pakistan in white ball cricket for a fair few years but they still play according to the demands of the modern game. This paid off for them when they beat Pakistan in the 2022 Asia Cup Final.

Pakistan didn’t lose because Pakistan cricket has lesser players than Sri Lanka. No, because Pakistan were stuck with Misbah’s ideology encompassing Babar and Rizwan as openers with other anchors in the side.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Devadwal said:
I'm watching the BBL for the first time for betting purposes. Connolly is a very good player. He can play both fast and spin balls well. He can also play an anchor role when needed.

When I first saw him play in the Champions Trophy match against India, I thought he was just another slogger who hadn't touched a single ball Before threw away his wicket.

He is better prospects than fraud overhyped Owen, konstas etc.

:kp
Click to expand...
Agreed. He's certainly a much better overall prospect than those guys
 
Australia has assembled a solid squad... all of these batters can smash big....
 
Aussies have selected a good team. I wouldn't be surprised if they win the World Cup.

I think Australia or South Africa may win it.
 
jnaveen1980 said:
That is Adam Gilchrist's prediction. He says Australia will reach the final. I don't disagree. They have restructured their line up. They have two gun bowlers. Josh, Zampa. In place of Starc they have batting all rounders. Cummins is not a great T20 bowler though. But he can strike some seirous blows especially in Indian conditions.
Click to expand...
Xavier Bartlett is very good T20 bowler who can bowl at any stages of the game. They have selected a very good team. :kp
 
Cummins considered for Head-like injection at T20 World Cup

Inspiration from the triumphant 2023 ODI World Cup is fuelling Australia's approach to nursing their superstar paceman into the T20 showpiece

Australia will consider carrying Pat Cummins into the second half of the T20 World Cup if his back injury prohibits him from playing in the first stage of the tournament.

Test skipper Cummins was named in Australia's provisional 15-player squad on Thursday but will be carefully managed as his rehabilitation from a bone stress injury continues.

Cummins' only competitive match since July was the Adelaide Ashes Test in December, where he took three wickets in each innings as he led his side to retaining the urn.

Australia provisional squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

The fast bowler will have a scan later in January to determine whether or not that match has impacted his recovery and if he will be able to participate in the World Cup, to be held in India and Sri Lanka.

It has Australian management weighing up the proposition of selecting Cummins with no expectation of playing him before the back end of the tournament, similar to the approach they took with Travis Head at the 2023 ODI World Cup.

ICC rules stipulate each team must pick their playing XI from a squad of 15 with replacements available only in the case of injuries. If a player is replaced in the squad, they can't return. If Cummins was selected but couldn't play, Australia would effectively have a 14-player group to choose from for the first few matches. The finalised squad of 15 must be submitted to the ICC by the end of January.

That was the case with Head in 2023, where Head didn't even arrive in India until after Australia's fourth match as he returned from a fractured hand.

The move proved a masterstroke however, with Head smashing a century against New Zealand in his first match and an unforgettable ton in the final against India.

Fellow quick Josh Hazlewood is also working his way back to full fitness after suffering a setback with his achilles during his recovery from a hamstring strain he picked up in the Sheffield Shield.

Although both Cummins and Hazlewood are unlikely to be fit for the pre-tournament three-game T20I series against Pakistan, selection chair George Bailey is confident they will both feature at the showpiece event.

"I don't think they'll be available for the Pakistan series, but I think that both should be online (for the World Cup)," Bailey told reporters on Saturday.

"Patty might be a bit later. That might be a similar situation to Travis Head in the 50-over World Cup, where there's an entry point at some point.

"Hopefully we can manage and carry him in the squad until that point.

"I think 'Hoff' (Hazlewood) should be right by the start."

Bailey was realistic the plan comes with an element of risk. However, he pointed to the allrounders and spin options in the squad as ways around a potential shortage of pace options.

"You might get pushed in a corner and you might need to make an adjustment to the squad," Bailey said.

"And we were close to that having to be the case with Trav as well.

"I guess the beauty is potentially Colombo and Kandy, you might be in a position where you can set your team up different ways.

"We've obviously got some good all-round skills. There are some good spin options, so there are different ways of structuring up the team where that might work out pretty naturally."

Australia's group fixtures are against Ireland and Zimbabwe in Colombo and Sri Lanka and Oman in Kandy.

Tim David, who hurt his hamstring playing for the Hobart Hurricanes last week, is also expected to be fit for Australia's first match against the Irish on February 13.

www.cricket.com.au

Cummins considered for Head-like injection at T20 World Cup | cricket.com.au

Inspiration from the triumphant 2023 ODI World Cup is fuelling Australia's approach to nursing their...
www.cricket.com.au www.cricket.com.au
 
AU does have the best, most disciplined fast bowling attack. However, those who are falling in an awe, need to realize that the WC is in SL humid conditions.

No team should be overwhelmed and must attack these bowlers. If ANY team gets into its shell and approaches the game cautiously with so called ANCHORS, might as well keep sucking on thumbs and stay home. This blithering basket case approach to the T20 game must stop to win T20s.
 
CricVet said:
AU does have the best, most disciplined fast bowling attack. However, those who are falling in an awe, need to realize that the WC is in SL humid conditions.

No team should be overwhelmed and must attack these bowlers. If ANY team gets into its shell and approaches the game cautiously with so called ANCHORS, might as well keep sucking on thumbs and stay home. This blithering basket case approach to the T20 game must stop to win T20s.
Click to expand...
WC is in India and SL. Only Pakistan will play all their matches in SL. Rest of the teams barring SL will be playing almost all their matches in India
 
Injury concerns for Australia pacer ahead of T20 World Cup

Australia have been dealt another injury setback ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with Nathan Ellis suffering a hamstring injury during the ongoing Big Bash League.

The Hobart Hurricanes captain was ruled out of the remainder of the BBL, raising concerns over his availability for the World Cup, which gets underway on February 7. The team was knocked out of the title race by Sydney Sixers on January 23, Friday.

His injury adds to Australia’s growing list of pace concerns, with Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins also managing fitness issues. Hazlewood, who missed the Ashes and hasn’t featured for the team since November last year, is expected to regain full fitness ahead of the World Cup, while Cummins is awaited to return to the squad later in the tournament.

Ellis has been a key performer in the BBL for Hobart Hurricanes, picking up 14 wickets in nine matches at an economy rate of 9.03.

Australia are scheduled to play Pakistan in a three-match T20I series starting January 29, which will serve as an important preparation ahead of the global event.

Ellis has been rested for the series along with Tim David, Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell and Cummins, with all five being part of Australia’s T20 World Cup provisional squad and are either recovering from injuries or having their workload carefully managed.

ICC
 
Sachin fan said:
Yet your every second post is about them recently. But I agree there is not much thought behind those posts, so your point still stand
Click to expand...
Congratulations on finding my older casual conversation with someone else and replying. We all know here that Rats are never needed invitation! I am sure that took care of your yeaning to seek my attention. LOL :D
 
Pacer ruled out as Aussies make two changes to T20WC squad

Australia have suffered a massive blow with news that star quick Pat Cummins will miss the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup due to injury as the side finalised their squad for the upcoming tournament by making a pair of changes.

Cummins has not recovered fully from his lingering back injury and will miss the tournament that commences in India and Sri Lanka on February 7, while top-order batter Matthew Short has also been omitted from the original 15-player squad.

Former India captain and two-time T20 World Cup winner Rohit Sharma has been announced as the tournament ambassador for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis and batter Matthew Renshaw come into Australia's 15-player squad and selector Tony Dodemaide belives the pair can perform well during the tournament that commences in India and Sri Lanka on February 7.

“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.

“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 squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

ICC
 
Nikhil_cric said:
Cummins, Connolly, Kuhnemann - not sure about these 3 in an Australian World T20 squad
Click to expand...
Cummins being replaced by left armer Dwarshuis actually improves this squad. As does the inclusion of Renshaw ahead of Matt Short. Has really upped his power hitting game over the last 2 seasons and a middle order left hander is invaluable
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

BouncerGuy
ICC T20 World Cup (2026): England announced provisional squad
Replies
1
Views
207
Rana
Rana
BouncerGuy
Pakistan U19 squad announced for Tri-series against Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, and ICC U19 World Cup 2026
Replies
36
Views
2K
Omer2002
O
BouncerGuy
ICC T20 World Cup (2026): Zimbabwe squad announced
Replies
4
Views
266
BouncerGuy
BouncerGuy
Cricket Warrior
ICC T20 World Cup (2026): Ireland squad announced
Replies
2
Views
171
sweep_shot
sweep_shot
BouncerGuy
ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026 - Discussion thread [From January 15 - February 06]
7 8 9
Replies
689
Views
8K
jamie smith fan
jamie smith fan
Back
Top