Josh Hazlewood is making efforts to play in the T20 World Cup 2026. Pat Cummins recently mentioned that Hazlewood is expected to be ready midway through the tournament. Hazlewood has been out since the Ashes series due to an Achilles injury and is currently focused on his rehabilitation. Cricket Australia announced he will begin his preparations in Sydney before traveling to Sri Lanka.
“I spoke to Josh a couple of days ago, and he’s working hard. I really feel for him. He’s faced some setbacks but is one of the most dedicated fast bowlers. He’s doing everything possible to return. I don’t believe he’ll be ready for the tournament’s start, but he aims to be back around the middle,” Cummins stated on Nine Network.
Australia will play a practice match against the Netherlands on Thursday ahead of their T20 World Cup match against Ireland on February 11.
Hazlewood has an impressive T20 record. Although he didn’t play in this format from March 2016 to January 2020, he was instrumental in Australia’s 2021 T20 World Cup victory, taking 3 for 16 in the final against New Zealand in the UAE.
He has taken 133 wickets at an average of 20.44 and an economy rate of 7.57. Among the 75 fast bowlers who delivered at least 2,000 balls between January 2020 and the end of last year, he has the second-best average, just behind India’s Jasprit Bumrah.
During the 2025 IPL season, he topped the wickets tally for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, significantly contributing to their historic first IPL win.