Star pacer Pat Cummins will miss Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign as he continues to recover from a nagging back injury that has dogged him for more than six months.
Sydney Sixers stalwart Ben Dwarshuis has been a late call-up to the Australian squad, with the selectors opting not to have Cummins available for the tournament in Sri Lanka and India.
Former Test opener Matt Renshaw, who made his T20 international debut in Pakistan only two days ago, has also been included in the revised squad as Matt Short’s replacement.
Test superstar Steve Smith, who produced an incredible cameo for the Sydney Sixers late in this season’s BBL, was overlooked despite pressure to include him.
“With Pat needing more time to recover from his back injury, Ben is an easy replacement who offers a left-arm pace option, as well as dynamic fielding and late order hitting,” said Australian selector Tony Dodemaide.
“We believe his ability to swing the ball at a good pace, along with smart variations, will suit the conditions we expect and the overall structure of the squad.
“Mat [Renshaw] has impressed across 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 tough spin conditions expected in the pool stages in Sri Lanka, we also believe Matt will provide additional mid-range support, with Tim David completing his return-to-play program in the early stages of the tournament.
“As a lefty, he [Renshaw] also offers a point of difference for the middle stroke.”
Cummins’ only match since the Caribbean tour in July was Australia’s win in Adelaide in December.
With the urn preserved, Cummins and the Australian hierarchy decided it would rest ahead of the T20 World Cup.
But the Australian Test and ODI captain won’t be taking any chances with his body ahead of a monstrous 2027 that includes a tour of India, an away Ashes, an ODI World Cup and a possible World Test Championship final.
For next year, Australia will embark on a red-ball tour of South Africa in September for the first time since the infamous Sandpapergate series in 2018.
Despite Smith being comfortably the BBL’s form player, the Australian selectors appear to have decided he can no longer play internationally in the 20-over format.
Australia will play another T20 against Pakistan after losing their opening match on Thursday evening, before their World Cup opener against Ireland on February 11 in Colombo.
Australian selection: Mitch Marsh (captain), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
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