Australia have unveiled a provisional 15-player squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Which will be staged across Sri Lanka and India, signalling a clear focus on players they believe can thrive in subcontinental conditions. Mitchell Marsh has been confirmed as captain.
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Leading a group that blends proven experience with a handful of bold selection calls. Among the notable inclusions are Pat Cummins, Cameron Green and Cooper Connolly, all of whom missed Australia’s most recent T20 series against India.
Their returns strengthen the squad on paper, although several players are still working their way back to full fitness. Despite those concerns, selectors are confident the core of the group will be ready when the tournament begins in early February.
One of the defining features of the squad is its heavy emphasis on spin. While Connolly also offers spin options alongside all-rounders Glenn Maxwell and Matthew Short.
The selection underlines Australia’s intent to adapt to the slower, turning pitches expected in Sri Lanka and India, rather than relying solely on pace. Chair of selectors George Bailey said the panel had the benefit of sustained success in the T20 format.
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This allowed them to think strategically about balance and conditions rather than short-term form alone. He explained that the squad was built with flexibility in mind, while still accounting for the realities of player workloads and injuries.
The T20 side has enjoyed a long run of recent success. This enabled the panel to choose a balance of players across the variety of conditions Sri Lanka and India may present, Bailey said. He added that Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Tim David are all progressing well in their recoveries.
And the selectors are confident they will be available for the World Cup. As this is only a preliminary squad, changes can still be made if fitness issues persist. Australia’s bowling attack looks noticeably different following Mitchell Starc’s retirement from international T20 cricket.
Starc had been a regular presence at global T20 tournaments, featuring in five of the last six editions, but stepped away from the format late last year. With left-arm quick Spencer Johnson also sidelined through injury, selectors chose not to replace Starc like-for-like.
Instead, they opted for right-arm fast bowler Xavier Bartlett, overlooking Ben Dwarshuis in the process. Another major talking point is the omission of in-form all-rounder Mitchell Owen, who has impressed recently for the Hobart Hurricanes.
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Despite his strong performances, selectors decided he did not fit the balance they were seeking for this tournament. In contrast, young all-rounder Cooper Connolly earned a surprise call-up, despite not playing in any of Australia’s last 12 T20 internationals. His inclusion reflects the selectors’ belief in his adaptability and skill set for Asian conditions.
Several players are in line to make their World Cup debuts when the tournament begins on February 7. Matthew Short, Matthew Kuhnemann and Bartlett could all feature on the global stage for the first time. Adding a sense of freshness to a squad that still leans heavily on experienced campaigners like Maxwell, Zampa and Marsh.
There are also some risks built into the squad. Cummins is awaiting scan results on a back issue later this month, while Hazlewood and power-hitting finisher Tim David are returning from hamstring injuries. Another eyebrow-raising decision is the lack of a reserve wicketkeeper.
Josh Inglis is the only specialist gloveman included, meaning Australia will need him to remain fit throughout the tournament. Under ICC regulations, Australia have until January 31 to make changes if any player fails to prove full fitness. Before the World Cup gets underway, the team is also scheduled to play a three-match T20 international series against Pakistan.
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