New Delhi, February 9: Australia is set to kick off its T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against Ireland on February 11. However, the team is grappling with significant injury concerns affecting key players. Following Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood has also been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. Nathan Ellis has described Hazlewood’s absence as a “major loss” for the team.
Nathan Ellis is the most experienced fast bowler in the current Australian squad. He will need to lead the bowling attack alongside Ben Dwarshuis and Javier Bartlett. The team also includes fast-bowling all-rounders Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis. No replacement bowler has been added for Hazlewood, although Sean Abbott remains part of the squad as a reserve.
Ellis stated, “Losing a world-class bowler changes things. It’s unfortunate for our team that he isn’t playing. He has faced challenges over the past few months. My job is to adapt as much as possible, but yes, we will always miss Josh Hazlewood.”
Regarding bowling alongside Dwarshuis and Bartlett, Ellis remarked, “We have played together for 18 to 24 months, during which the big three were absent, and we had to shoulder more responsibility on the Test field. This has allowed us time to build connections and relationships both on and off the field. As a bowling unit, I genuinely believe we work very well together.”
Ellis added, “We all have different skill sets. We can blend together in various phases of the game. The work we have done over the past 18 months has been beneficial, so without those two big names, it won’t be a new situation for us.”
Ellis was referring to both Hazlewood and the absence of Mitchell Starc, who has retired from T20 cricket. Cummins and Hazlewood have been sidelined due to injury and workload management issues.