T20 World Cup: Steve Smith Drafted In As Hazlewood Withdraws From Australia Squad

Australia has officially included Steve Smith in their squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as they prepare for a crucial Group B clash with Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Monday evening.

The experienced batter replaces fast bowler Josh Hazlewood after a calf injury ruled him out of the tournament.

Team management had initially postponed announcing a replacement, but the ICC’s Event Technical Committee has now sanctioned Smith’s addition.

In an official communication issued on Monday, the ICC confirmed that Smith had been approved to take Hazlewood’s place in the squad. The statement clarified that Hazlewood failed to regain fitness in time for the remainder of the competition, despite sustained efforts from the medical team.

Tournament rules stipulate that any squad alteration must receive prior consent from the Event Technical Committee before the new player becomes eligible to participate.

The committee overseeing such decisions includes Wasim Khan (Chair and ICC General Manager – Cricket), Gaurav Saxena (ICC General Manager – Events & Corporate Communications and IBC representative), Hemang Amin (Tournament Director representing the hosts), and Shaun Pollock (Independent nominee).

First T20I Appearance in Nearly Two Years

Smith, aged 36, has not represented Australia in a T20 International for almost two years. His previous outing in the format came against New Zealand in Auckland in February 2024.

He joined the squad in Kandy on Sunday evening and took part in training sessions after travelling to Sri Lanka as precautionary cover for opener Mitchell Marsh, who had missed the first two fixtures due to a testicular injury.

Encouragingly for Australia, Marsh resumed training and showed good movement during fitness and fielding drills, raising optimism about his potential return against Sri Lanka.

Australia’s campaign encountered a significant hurdle following an unexpected defeat to Zimbabwe on Friday. Consequently, the side may need to secure wins in both of their remaining Group B matches to progress to the Super Eights stage.

With qualification at stake, Australia will look to draw upon Smith’s experience and composure as they attempt to keep their tournament ambitions alive in a high-pressure encounter.

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