NEW DELHI: Australia's T20 World Cup campaign has taken a major hit, with veteran pacer Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the tournament. For the first time since 2011, Australia will head into a World Cup without one of their famed big three fast bowlers.

Hazlewood, who hasn't featured in a game since suffering a hamstring injury in the Sheffield Shield on November 12, was initially included in Australia's T20 World Cup squad despite staying back in Sydney while the team gathered in Sri Lanka this week.

However, just five days before Australia's tournament opener against Ireland in Colombo, national selector Tony Dodemaide confirmed that the 35-year-old pacer's participation is now off the cards.

"We were hopeful Josh would be back to match fitness by the Super Eights stage but the latest indications (are) he is still some time away," Dodemaide said. "Trying to accelerate his program will carry too much of a risk.

"We will not be naming a replacement player immediately. We feel we are well covered for the initial games so will make any later decisions based on priority need at the time."

Nathan Ellis and Tim David are on track to be available for the group stage while Adam Zampa will be available for the first match in Colombo next week.

Australia's practice match against the Netherlands was abandoned last night but the team still has a six-day preparation window before the first pool game against Ireland on February 11.

Australia will play their four preliminary games in Colombo and Pallekele.

Hazlewood was ruled out of the 2025-26 Ashes series due to a lingering Achilles injury that occurred during his rehabilitation from a previous hamstring strain.

Earlier, seasoned pacer Pat Cummins was ruled out of the entire tournament due to a persistent back injury and was replaced in the 15-man squad by Ben Dwarshuis.

Mitchell Starc's T20I retirement has already robbed the squad of an all-weather bowler.