Pat Cummins ruled out of Australia's T20 World Cup squad

Pat Cummins ruled out of Australia's T20 World Cup squad

Australia has announced that star fast bowler Pat Cummins will not be part of their T20 World Cup squad due to a persistent back injury. His replacement, Ben Dwarshuis, is set to fill the void, offering versatility with his left-arm pace and dynamic fielding.

‘With Pat needing more time to recover from his back injury, Ben is a ready replacement who offers a left-arm pace option as well as dynamic fielding and late-order hitting,’ selector Tony Dodemaide said on Saturday.

Cummins played just one of the five Ashes Tests against England, but Australia kept him in the provisional World Cup squad, hoping for his availability in the Super Eight stage to be played in India and Sri Lanka. Matt Renshaw also replaced fellow batter Matthew Short but veteran Steve Smith could not break into the World Cup squad despite his strong form in the Big Bash League.

The Mitchell Marsh-led side is currently playing a three-match T20 series in Pakistan as part of their preparation for the World Cup. ‘With the top order settled and spin-heavy conditions expected in the pool stages in Sri Lanka, we also feel Matt provides extra middle-order support, with Tim David completing his return-to-play programme in the early phase of the tournament,’ Dodemaide said of Renshaw’s selection.

Renshaw scored 15 in his T20 debut for Australia in Thursday’s defeat in Lahore. The former champions begin their World Cup campaign against Ireland in a February 11 match in Colombo. Australia’s 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, Adam Zampa.