Cricket Australia has made changes to its squad for the ICC T20 World Cup.
Pat Cummins will not participate in the tournament due to a back injury that hasn’t healed in time.
Although he was included in the provisional squad, he has now been officially removed. This development leads to adjustments in Australia’s final squad selection.
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Pat Cummins ruled out as Australia finalizes World Cup squad
Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the ICC T20 World Cup after medical staff confirmed he needs more time to heal from his back issue.
Initially, he was kept in the provisional squad with hopes he would be fit later in the tournament.
With Cummins unavailable, Ben Dwarshuis has been added to the final 15-man squad as his replacement, providing Australia with a left-arm pace option suited for the conditions expected in India and Sri Lanka.
Australia selector Tony Dodemaide discussed the decision, highlighting both Cummins’s fitness concerns and Dwarshuis’s selection.
“With Pat needing more time to recover, Ben is a good replacement who brings left-arm pace, strong fielding, and lower-order batting options,” Dodemaide said.
He added that Dwarshuis’s ability to swing the ball and adjust his bowling style fits the conditions expected at the tournament.
Squad changes highlight impact of Cummins’ absence
Cummins’s withdrawal was not the only change made as Australia finalized their World Cup group. Matthew Short was also left out of the provisional squad, with Matt Renshaw included in the final 15.
Dodemaide noted that Renshaw’s recent performance across formats and his versatility in the batting order were key factors for this decision, especially with spin-friendly conditions anticipated in the early rounds.
Josh Hazlewood and Tim David have been cleared to return from their injuries, strengthening Australia’s bowling and middle-order lineup despite Cummins’s absence.
Australia will start its ICC T20 World Cup campaign in February, with Mitchell Marsh set to lead a team adjusted due to Cummins’s enforced absence.
