Connolly, the left-handed batter and left-arm spinner, did not feature in the series against South Africa, New Zealand or India last year and has only featured in six T20Is – batting just twice in those games and claiming one wicket – but has started the BBL for Perth Scorchers impressively with 170 runs at a strike-rate of 166.66 and five wickets with an economy of 7.62. He provides the squad with another spin option alongside Adam Zampa, Matt Kuhnemann and Glenn Maxwell.
Dwarshuis, the left-arm seamer who plays for Sydney Sixers, is a significant omission as it means with the retirement from T20Is of Mitchell Starc and injury to Spencer Johnson there is no left-arm pace option in the squad. Xavier Bartlett has taken the final pace-bowling slot.
Dwarshuis had put together a strong run of performances in West Indies earlier this year then against South Africa in the Top End before series against New Zealand and India were interrupted by injury.
However, although not currently in the squad he would likely be a frontrunner to be called up should Cummins or Hazlewood not recover. The provisional squad can be freely amended until the start of the support period in early February. Sean Abbott would be another in the mix if pace-bowling reserves were needed.
“The T20 side has enjoyed a long run of recent success which enabled the panel to choose a balance of players across the variety of conditions Sri Lanka and India may present,” national selector George Bailey said.
“Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Tim David are tracking well and we are confident they will be available for the World Cup. This is a preliminary squad so should changes need to be made they will ahead of the support period.”
Owen, the Hobart Hurricanes and Tasmania allrounder, is the other notable omission having debuted in West Indies and playing 13 matches last year. However, after making 50, 36 not out and 37 in his first four innings he did not pass 14 in his next five knocks and has started the BBL poorly.
Alex Carey and Josh Philippe were both options to be included but their absence opens up a spot for another player who may be more likely to make the XI.
Australia’s World Cup campaign starts on February 11 against Ireland followed by further group matches against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Oman with all four games taking place in Sri Lanka.
Australia will play three T20Is in Pakistan in late January as preparation for the World Cup. A squad for those matches will be named at a later day.
Australia squad for 2026 T20 World Cup
Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
