Pat Cummins ruled out of Australia squad for T20 World Cup 2026

(Web Desk) – The Cricket Australia announced on Saturday that Pat Cummins had been ruled out due to ongoing back injury as Matt Short also omitted from final squad of 15 for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Sydney Sixers stalwart Ben Dwarshuis has received a late call-up to Australia's squad, with selectors opting to give up on having Cummins available for the tournament in Sri Lanka and India.

Former Test opener Matthew Renshaw, who only made his T20 international debut two days ago in Pakistan, has also been included in the revised squad instead of Matt Short.

Short had been included in Australia's provisional squad, which was named at the start of the month, but with a plethora of top order options for the tournament, selectors have opted from middle-order reinforcements in left-hander Renshaw.

Test superstar Steve Smith, who produced an unbelievable cameo for the Sixers late in KFC BBL|15, was overlooked despite pressure to include him.

"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," Australia selector Tony 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.

Australia squad: Mitch 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