Josh Hazlewood Likely to Miss Start of ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Australia has received a major blow ahead of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Star fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is likely to miss the opening matches. Hazlewood is currently recovering from an Achilles injury. The injury troubled him during the recent international season. Team management is unwilling to rush his return to competitive cricket.
Australia’s opening World Cup match is scheduled in early February. Hazlewood will not travel with the squad at the start. He is expected to continue rehabilitation in Sydney. Cricket Australia wants Hazlewood fully fit for later stages. Medical staff advised careful workload management. Selectors believe long-term fitness is more important than early games.
Sean Abbott joined as travelling reserve
National selector Tony Dodemaide supported the cautious approach. He stated Hazlewood’s recovery remains the top priority. A late arrival during the group stage remains possible. To cover his absence, Sean Abbott has joined as a travelling reserve. Abbott provides pace, depth and bowling balance. He recently impressed in domestic and international matches.
Australia already face pace concerns before the tournament. Captain Pat Cummins is also recovering from injury. The team management is closely monitoring several fast bowlers. Hazlewood remains vital to Australia’s T20 plans. He offers control, bounce, and accuracy in powerplay overs. His experience in global tournaments is unmatched.
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In T20 internationals, Hazlewood has taken over 80 wickets. He maintains an economy rate below eight. Such numbers highlight his importance in pressure games. Australia will rely on squad depth in early matches. Other bowlers must step up responsibly. Spin and batting depth may play bigger roles initially. The 2026 T20 World Cup is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Conditions are expected to assist both pace and spin. Australia aim to peak at the business end. Hazlewood’s return could boost their title hopes significantly. Fans will hope for positive fitness updates soon.