Pat Cummins Ruled Out as Australia Makes Two Changes to T20 World Cup Squad

Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as Australia brings in Ben Dwarshuis and Matthew Renshaw.

Australia has made two changes to its squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after Pat Cummins was ruled out with injury. The fast bowler has not fully recovered from a back issue and will miss the tournament, which begins on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.

Top-order batter Matthew Short has also been dropped from the original 15-player group. Left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis and batter Matthew Renshaw have been added to the revised squad.

Selectors believe Dwarshuis offers variety with his left-arm pace, along with strong fielding and lower-order batting depth.

“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. We believe his ability to swing the ball at a good pace, along with clever variations, will be well-suited to the conditions we expect and overall structure of the squad,” selector Tony Dodemide was quoted as saying by Cricket Australia.

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Meanwhile, Renshaw’s recent form across formats played a key role in his selection. He has featured in different white-ball roles for Australia, Queensland, and the Brisbane Heat.

“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,” Dodemide added.

Australia’s Updated T20 World Cup 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