Australia’s T20 World Cup preparations have been disrupted with Josh Hazlewood set to miss the early part of the tournament as he continues rehabilitation from an Achilles injury in Sydney.
The senior pacer will remain in Australia, with no confirmed timeline for his arrival in Sri Lanka. In response, selectors have added Sean Abbott as a travelling reserve to provide fast-bowling cover. Australia have already lost Pat Cummins to injury, while several others are managing fitness concerns.
Despite the setbacks, reinforcements including Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Ellis and Tim David are expected to join the squad ahead of the tournament opener against Ireland on February 11.