Josh Hazlewood injury update has taken a decisive turn ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, with Australia confirming that the fast bowler will miss the tournament after running out of time to regain full fitness. Hazlewood has been rehabilitating an Achilles injury, but despite steady progress, he has not reached the level required for international match intensity.
The Achilles issue, which disrupted his Ashes summer and limited his recent workload, ultimately proved too significant to overcome before the tournament deadline. Cricket Australia opted for a cautious rehabilitation plan, allowing him to recover in Sydney rather than accelerating his return for the World Cup. However, the recovery window was not sufficient, and as a result, Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Australia have also confirmed that no immediate replacement will be named, with selectors choosing to assess squad needs later in the tournament before making a final call.
As a result, Australia have been one of the teams actively changing their T20 World Cup squad before the deadline.
(updated on February 6, 2026)
Australia’s Josh Hazlewood Injury Snapshot
- Injury: Hamstring strain followed by Achilles soreness
- When it happened: During Sheffield Shield and Ashes rehab phase
- Current status: Ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026
- T20 World Cup 2026 availability: Was expected to start late, but has been ruled out now
- Expected return: For IPL 2026
- Squad status: Ruled out, not replaced yet
- Latest update: Out of T20 World Cup, recovery progressing
Check the latest T20 World Cup 2026 injury list and status.
Will Josh Hazlewood Be Fit for T20 World Cup 2026?
No. Josh Hazlewood will not be fit in time for the T20 World Cup 2026, having run out of time to complete his recovery from the Achilles injury. Despite progressing through rehabilitation, he has not reached the level required to return to international match intensity, leading to his withdrawal from the tournament.
Australia had initially hoped for a potential late return if his recovery accelerated, but that scenario is no longer viable. With the tournament underway, selectors have accepted that he will not feature in any stage of the competition.
The focus now shifts from his availability to how Australia restructure their fast-bowling plans in his absence, particularly during the Super Eight phase where experience and control with the new ball will be critical.
Josh Hazlewood Injury And T20 World Cup Availability: What Australia Are Planning
With Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026, Australia’s fast-bowling depth comes under sharper focus. The absence is significant given Pat Cummins is also unavailable through injury and Mitchell Starc has stepped away from T20 internationals, leaving a relatively less experienced pace attack for the tournament.
Nathan Ellis has joined the squad despite recently returning from a hamstring issue, while Adam Zampa continues to be monitored for a groin niggle. Those fitness concerns underline why Australia had initially taken a conservative approach with Hazlewood’s rehabilitation rather than rushing him into the squad environment.
“We were hopeful Josh would be back to match fitness by the Super Eights stage but the latest indications (are) he is still some time away,” Australia team selector Tony Dodemaide. “Trying to accelerate his program will carry too much of a risk.
“We will not be naming a replacement player immediately. We feel we are well covered for the initial games so will make any later decisions based on priority need at the time.”
That earlier strategy was built around preserving the option of a late return. With that no longer possible, the emphasis now shifts to how Australia distribute workload and structure their pace combinations across the tournament.
Who Will Replace Josh Hazlewood in Australia T20 World Cup Squad?
With Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026, attention turns to who could replace him in Australia’s squad. At this stage, selectors have chosen not to name an immediate replacement, preferring to assess tournament needs before making a final call.
Sean Abbott remains the most straightforward like-for-like option. He has already been with the group as a travelling reserve following the Pakistan tour and offers experience, control with the new ball, and lower-order hitting depth. If Australia decide to bring in a specialist seamer, Abbott is the leading candidate.
However, the timing of any replacement will likely depend on squad balance rather than a direct swap. Australia may evaluate conditions, opposition matchups, and workload across the group stage before formalising a change. The flexibility suggests they are comfortable with current combinations for now, but prepared to act if bowling depth becomes a concern deeper into the tournament.
Latest Josh Hazlewood Fitness Update
Josh Hazlewood has officially been ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026 after failing to reach full match fitness in time. With no immediate replacement announced, Sean Abbott remains the most likely candidate should Australia opt for a like-for-like pace addition later in the tournament.
Will Josh Hazlewood Be Fit For RCB in IPL 2026?
Like with Pat Cummins, Hazlewood is expected to be fit by the time the IPL starts. “Trying to accelerate his program will carry too much of a risk” were the exact words of the selector. That means that even if Hazlewood does recover in time for the IPL, Cricket Australia might be skeptical about guaranteeing him an NOC to play 2.5 months in India in the IPL, especially considering the packed cricket calendar Australia have following the IPL season.
If Hazlewood is out of IPL 2026, that would be a huge blow for defending champions RCB, who have relied on him across all three phases with the ball. He was vital to them winning their first-ever IPL title last year, and his likely absence would be a significant setback for the, ahead of IPL 2026.
Check the latest Australia squad for T20 World Cup 2026.
