Confirmed! Steve Smith Replaces This Star Bowler in Australia's T20 World Cup Squad

Australian Cricket Team has made a massive addition to their squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. The 2021 champions have added the former captain Steve Smith to the side for the remainder of the tournament.

The development comes ahead of Australia’s T20 World Cup 2026 game against Sri Lanka. The match between the two teams will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Monday, February 16.

Steve Smith’s addition to the team comes amidst Australia’s struggles in the T20 World Cup 2026. The Mitchell Marsh-led side lost to Zimbabwe in their last league game and now face a danger of getting knocked out of the first stage.

Steve Smith Replaces Josh Hazlewood

Smith has replaced Josh Hazlewood in the Australia T20 World Cup squad. The right-hander was called up recently as a cover to Mitchell Marsh after the regular captain suffered a groin injury ahead of Australia’s game against Ireland.

Steve Smith T20 World Cup presence will boost Australia's chances who are fighting hard to make it to the next stage. With several injury issues, the 2021 champions are struggling with fitness and injury issues in this edition of the T20 World Cup.

Josh Hazlewood's absence will hurt Australia as he is one of the best T20 bowlers in the world, He was earlier expected to play some part in the T20 World Cup 2026, but now has been ruled out of the entire tournament with a calf injury. Releasing the official statement, the ICC said:

“(Steve) Smith is named as a replacement for (Josh) Hazlewood, who is now officially ruled out from participating in the tournament due to a calf injury. The team’s medical staff had hoped to have him fit in time to feature in the latter parts of the tournament but were unsuccessful,” the ICC stated.

Steve Smith's Strong BBL Performance

Josh Hazlewood replacement in T20 World Cup 2026, Steve Smith, was last seen in action during the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26. He played for Sydney Sixers and had a terrific outing as a opener after he joined the team midway after his successful stint for Australia in Ashes 2025-26.

The right-hander played six games for the Sixers and was one of the main reasons why his side reached the final. Although, they lost the final to Perth Scorchers, Smith added a new dimension to his game and showed why can still be counted among the most dangerous batsmen in the world.

In the six innings, he scored 299 runs at a strike rate of around 168. The right-hander had an average of 59.8, which was amongst the highest in the season. Not only this, he also hammered two half-centuries and one century in the season.