Australia has announced updates to its squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026, with Pat Cummins ruled out due to a back injury and matt Short dropped from the team. Ben Dwarshuis and Matt Renshaw have been named as replacements, offering additional pace and batting options for the team as they continue their tour of Pakistan. The squad changes come after Australia’s 22-run loss to Pakistan in the series opener on Thursday night.
Australia’s T20 World Cup plans have hit a snag with star fast bowler Pat Cummins ruled out of the tournament due to a lingering back injury. The news comes as selectors finalized their 15-man squad for the event, also announcing a surprising change with Matthew Short being dropped.
Cricket Australia confirmed Saturday night that Cummins won’t be fit in time for the T20 World Cup, which begins next weekend in Sri Lanka and India. Cummins was limited to just one Ashes Test this summer because of the injury. Left-arm quick Ben Dwarshuis will take Cummins’ place in the squad.
In a notable move, Adelaide Strikers batsman Matthew Short has been replaced by Brisbane Heat’s Matthew Renshaw, who recently made his T20I debut in Pakistan. The shakeup adds intrigue to the Australian lineup as they prepare for the global tournament.
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Dwarshuis, who has 13 T20I appearances for Australia, was the leading wicket-taker for the Sydney Sixers in the recent Big Bash League, claiming 16 wickets with an economy rate of 7.85.
“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,” said Australia selector Tony Dodemaide.
“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.”
There had been speculation surrounding a potential late call-up for Steve Smith, who enjoyed a dominant BBL campaign with 299 runs at 59.80 in just six games. However, Renshaw earned the nod after being named in the BBL15 Team of the Tournament, scoring 324 runs and taking five wickets in 10 matches for the Brisbane Heat.
Renshaw replaces Short, who managed three half-centuries but averaged just 28 during the Adelaide Strikers’ campaign. Short had been a consistent presence in Australia’s T20I side for the past two and a half years.
“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,” Dodemaide added.
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“With the top order settled and spin-friendly conditions anticipated 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 also offers a point of difference to the middle order batting.”
Australia will continue their tour of Pakistan with two more T20I matches in Lahore on Saturday and Sunday, both broadcast live and exclusively on Fox Cricket, via Kayo Sports and Foxtel (Channel 501). The Aussies fell in the series opener against Pakistan by 22 runs on Thursday night.
Australia’s World Cup campaign begins February 11 against Ireland in Colombo.
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AUSTRALIA 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
