T20 World Cup 2026: Injury concerns grow for Australia’s pace unit
Australia was dealt an injury ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 as pacer Nathan Ellis suffered a hamstring injury during the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL).
The Hobart Hurricanes skipper was ruled out of his team’s BBL Challenger match against Sydney Sixers on Friday, which the side eventually lost by 57 runs.
Ellis was a key performer for the Hurricanes this season, nabbing 14 wickets in nine matches at an economy rate of 9.03.
The right-arm pacer’s injury adds to Australia’s growing concerns in the fast bowling department ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup. Josh Hazlewood missed the recently concluded Ashes and hasn’t played for Australia since November last year, while Pat Cummins, who is also recovering from an injury, is expected to join the T20 World Cup squad only later in the tournament.
Australia is scheduled to play Pakistan in three T20Is, starting January 29, as the team prepares for the global event in India and Sri Lanka.
Ellis, along with Cummins, Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell and Tim David, has been rested for the series against Pakistan. All five are part of Australia’s provisional squad for the T20 World Cup.
Published on Jan 23, 2026
