Mitchell Marsh Leads As Australia Pick Spin-Heavy Squad For T20 World Cup 2026

Australia selectors named a 15-man squad with a focus on spin bowling for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.

Australia’s national selectors have chosen a spin-heavy squad for the forthcoming T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India. Big-hitting star Mitchell Owen is the most notable player left out.

The 2021 tournament winners also decided against picking a left-arm fast bowler. They chose Brisbane Heat’s Xavier Bartlett over the Sydney Sixers’ Ben Dwarshuis for the final pace-bowling spot. This decision comes with regular left-arm quicks Mitchell Starc (retired from T20Is) and the injured Spencer Johnson unavailable.

Cooper Connolly, who has not played any of Australia’s past 12 T20 Internationals, is a surprise inclusion. Matthew Short, Matthew Kuhnemann, and Xavier Bartlett are also in line to make their World Cup debuts when the tournament begins on February 7.

Australia’s squad: Mitchell Marsh (captain), 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.

Selectors gave Ben Dwarshuis a chance, playing him in 10 T20Is since July. However, he lost the final pace spot to the skilled new-ball bowler Bartlett. Mitchell Owen played even more often (13 T20Is) in the last six months. However, the return of fellow seam-bowling all-rounder Cameron Green and the in-form Marcus Stoinis pushed him out of the squad.

Will Cummins And Hazlewood Be Part Of Australia’s Squad?

Some players could still come into contention. Three of Australia’s key players, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Tim David, have injury concerns. ICC rules allow squad changes until January 31.

The expectation of spin-friendly pitches led to the inclusion of extra slow-bowling options. The selectors did not pick a backup wicketkeeper. Alex Carey and Josh Philippe, who filled in before, were not included this time.

Selection chair George Bailey explained the squad composition. “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,” Bailey said.

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“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,” he added.