Australia have confirmed their 15-player squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, set to be hosted across India and Sri Lanka in February, with several key players returning from injury and one notable bolter included.
Injury Concerns Overcome for Key Trio
The selection panel, led by George Bailey, has shown faith in the fitness of three crucial players. Pat Cummins (back), Josh Hazlewood (achilles and hamstring), and explosive hitter Tim David (hamstring) have all been named despite recent injury setbacks.
Cummins was rested from the final two Ashes Tests to manage his issue, while Hazlewood missed the entire series. David will sit out the remainder of the Hobart Hurricanes' Big Bash League campaign to ensure he is ready for the global tournament.
Kuhnemann the Surprise Spin Pick
The most unexpected inclusion is left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, who is in line for his T20 World Cup debut. Kuhnemann has played only four T20 internationals since his debut in early 2025 and is yet to take a wicket in the format.
His selection is a clear tactical move for the expected turning pitches on the subcontinent, bolstered by his impressive performances with the red ball during Australia's Test tour of Sri Lanka earlier in 2025. He joins white-ball stalwart Adam Zampa as the frontline spin options in a spin-heavy squad.
New Faces and Notable Omissions
Paceman Xavier Bartlett, versatile all-rounder Matt Short, and Cooper Connolly could also make their World Cup bows. The squad will be captained by Mitchell Marsh.
However, there was no room for Big Bash final hero Mitch Owen, fit-again quick Sean Abbott, or backup wicketkeeper Josh Philippe. Philippe's omission leaves Josh Inglis as the sole specialist wicketkeeper in the travelling party.
Australia will begin their campaign against Ireland in Colombo on 11 February. They will name a separate squad for the T20I series against Pakistan that precedes the World Cup. The team will be looking to improve on their 2024 performance, where a shock Super 8 loss to Afghanistan ended their tournament.
Chief selector George Bailey stated: "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."
Full Australia T20 World Cup Squad: Mitchell Marsh (capt), 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.
