Steve Smith officially added to Australia’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad

Steve Smith has been officially added to the Australian T20 World Cup 2026 squad, after being drafted into the team in place of injured pacer Josh Hazlewood.

Hazlewood was ruled out of the tournament earlier this month due to an Achilles injury, with selectors opting not to immediately name a replacement.

Smith now takes the 15th spot in the squad ahead of the Australian cricket team’s next group-stage match against Sri Lanka at Pallekele on Monday after the Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 approved him as a replacement.

Smith had travelled to Sri Lanka last week as a reserve cover for captain Mitchell Marsh, who sustained internal testicular bleeding after a direct blow to the groin during training. Marsh missed Australia’s first two matches but returned to training on Sunday, participating in running and fielding drills.

The 36-year-old Smith trained with the squad in Kandy on Sunday evening after arriving in Sri Lanka. His formal addition utilises the vacant position left open when Hazlewood’s withdrawal.

Smith has played 67 T20Is for Australia, scoring more than 1000 runs. He was part of the Australian squad that won the T20 World Cup in 2021. His most recent T20I appearance came in February 2024.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Marcus Stoinis was declared ready to play after recovering from a blow to his left hand he suffered in the previous match against Zimbabwe.

Australia will hope that Stoinis’ injury boost, Marsh’s impending return and the experienced Smith’s addition to the squad can lift the team following their shock defeat to Zimbabwe last week.

After beating Ireland handily in their tournament opener, the 2021 world champions succumbed to Zimbabwe by 23 runs last Friday, which means that they can ill-afford another misstep against co-hosts Sri Lanka in Monday’s match.

Australia are currently third in Group B and are due to play Oman in their final group match later this week. Only the top two from each group will make the Super 8 stage.

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