Australia’s preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 have been unsettled by a string of injury concerns, with fast bowler Nathan Ellis becoming the latest player to raise doubts over his availability for the global event. The tournament is scheduled to begin next month, with matches hosted across Sri Lanka and India.
Ellis, who was captaining the Hobart Hurricanes in Big Bash League (BBL) 15, was a late withdrawal from the Challenger clash against the Sydney Sixers. His absence immediately triggered concern within Australian cricket circles, especially given the limited time remaining before the World Cup squad is finalized.
The 31-year-old right-arm pacer had already missed the Hurricanes’ knockout match against the Melbourne Stars earlier in the tournament due to the same injury. Although he was expected to return for the Challenger, Ellis failed to recover in time, forcing team management to take a cautious approach. The exact nature of his injury has not been officially disclosed, but his repeated absences suggest it could threaten his World Cup involvement.
Ellis has been a valuable asset in Australia’s T20 setup, particularly after making history with a hat-trick on his T20 International debut. His ability to deliver at the death and adapt to subcontinental conditions made him a strong contender for a key role in the upcoming tournament.
Ellis’ setback adds to Australia’s growing list of fitness concerns. Senior fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are both working their way back from injuries as the World Cup approaches. Hazlewood has been sidelined since November last year but is reportedly progressing well in his rehabilitation and is expected to regain full fitness before the tournament gets underway.
Cummins, on the other hand, is likely to miss the early stages of the World Cup, with team officials suggesting he could rejoin the squad later in the competition if his recovery stays on track. His availability will be closely monitored, given his leadership experience and impact with both ball and bat.
Australia have also been dealt blows in the all-rounder department. Marcus Stoinis recently suffered a painful hit to his hand during a BBL fixture and was forced to retire hurt. He subsequently underwent scans to assess the extent of the injury, with team management hopeful that the issue is not serious enough to rule him out of the World Cup.
Power-hitter Tim David is another name on the injury list. The middle-order batter pulled up with a hamstring issue during a BBL match and is currently in recovery. While his injury is not believed to be long-term, it adds to Australia’s mounting fitness headaches.
Ahead of the T20 World Cup, Australia are scheduled to tour Pakistan for a three-match T20I series, beginning on January 29 in Lahore. The series is expected to serve as a crucial test of squad depth and player fitness, as selectors assess which players are ready to handle the demands of the mega event.
With several key players racing against time, Australia’s World Cup campaign may hinge on timely recoveries and effective workload management in the weeks ahead.
Provisional Australia squad for T20 World Cup 2026
Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa.
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