Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins has been officially ruled out of the upcoming ICC Twenty20 World Cup due to an ongoing back injury that has hindered his recovery. In his absence, left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis has been called up to join the squad, offering a much-needed pace option alongside strong fielding capabilities and late-order hitting.
Selector Tony Dodemaide expressed confidence in Dwarshuis, noting, “With Pat needing more time to recover, Ben is a ready replacement who offers a left-arm pace option, as well as dynamic fielding and late-order hitting.” He highlighted Dwarshuis’s ability to swing the ball effectively combined with clever variations, making him a suitable choice for the expected conditions of the tournament.
Cummins, who participated in only one of the five Ashes Tests against England, was kept in the provisional World Cup squad with hopes of returning for the Super Eight stage, which will take place in India and Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Matthew Renshaw has stepped in for batter Matthew Short, although veteran Steve Smith was unable to secure a place in the squad despite displaying strong performances in the Big Bash League.
As the Mitchell Marsh-led Australian team prepares for the World Cup, they are currently engaged in a three-match T20 series in Pakistan. Dodemaide noted Renshaw’s inclusion would bolster the middle order, particularly given anticipated spin-heavy conditions during the pool stages in Sri Lanka. Renshaw made his T20 debut for Australia on Thursday, scoring 15 runs in their recent loss in Lahore.
Australia’s World Cup campaign is set to kick off against Ireland on February 11 in Colombo. The finalized squad for the T20 World Cup includes Mitchell Marsh (captain), Travis Head, Xavier Bartlett, Josh Hazlewood, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis, Tim David, Matthew Kuhnemann, Ben Dwarshuis, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Matthew Renshaw, Nathan Ellis, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa.
With a mix of seasoned players and fresh talent, Australia will be looking to navigate the tournament successfully despite the challenges posed by injuries.