Australia playing XI vs Ireland- T20 World Cup 2026, Match 14- No Tim David, Josh Hazlewood replaced

Australia will face Ireland in their 1st T20 WC 2026 match [Source: AFP]

Australia will begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a riveting face-off against Ireland on Wednesday, February 11, at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Led by Mitchell Marsh, Australia had a disappointing run in the previous edition of the tournament. They failed to qualify for the semifinals, making an early Super Eight exit after a decisive 24-run defeat to India. 

As they eye redemption in the 2026 T20 World Cup, Australia have been marred by several injury setbacks. While Mitchell Starc has retired from T20Is, the talismanic duo of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood has been sidelined from the competition due to injury. 

Additionally, explosive batter Tim David has reportedly not fully recovered from a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the BBL 2025-26 and might miss the tournament opener as well. 

So, giant-killers Ireland actually have a great opportunity to force an upset against an injury-ridden Australian squad. Under Paul Stirling's leadership, the Irish had a shaky start to their T20 World Cup campaign, losing their first group stage match against Sri Lanka. 

With Ireland sensing a gateway to historic glory, we analyse what the best combination Australia can field for their first T20 World Cup match at the R. Premadasa Stadium. 

Openers and top order: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis (WK)

(T20I records of Head, Marsh and Inglis at respective batting positions)

Amid the injuries of Tim David, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, the one thing that looks absolutely settled for Australia is their top-order. 

Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh have proven their opening credentials and can help the Aussies get a flying start with scintillating stroke play in the powerplay. 

Captain Marsh has showcased remarkable form of late, amassing 473 runs at an average of 33.79 and a strike rate of 155.59 since 2025. In the same period, Travis Head has struggled to get going, managing 131 runs at a miserable average of 13.10. 

So, it will be interesting to see if the swashbuckling southpaw can regain his mojo against the Irish before Australia face stronger teams in the T20 World Cup. 

Meanwhile, Josh Inglis is an obvious choice to keep wickets for Australia in the T20 World Cup. The right-hander has been impressive at number three and will be a crucial player for the Aussies in the middle overs. 

Middle Order and allrounders: Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis

Tim David's injury has emerged as a major concern for Australia heading to the marquee event. Although there's a selection conundrum between Cooper Connolly and Matt Renshaw, Australia might prefer the latter as David's like-for-like replacement due to his BBL 2025-26 exploits (324 runs, average- 36, strike rate- 152.83). 

On the other hand, the decorated trio of Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis will form Australia's all-round core in the middle order. Statistically, Green has slammed 347 runs at a blistering strike rate of 162.15 at number four in T20Is. 

Meanwhile, Maxwell's audacious spin-hitting and Stoinis' ability to dispatch hard-length deliveries in the slog overs make them vital cogs in the Australian lineup. 

Apart from ensuring fitting finishes, Maxwell and Stoinis can be useful with the ball, particularly in the middle overs. 

Bowlers: Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Matthew Kuhnemann

With Josh Hazlewood ruled out, Australia are expected to bring in Xavier Bartlett as his like-for-like replacement. Bartlett can move the new ball up front and pose a serious threat to the Irish top-order. 

Nathan Ellis, who bagged 14 wickets in nine BBL 2025-26 matches, will spearhead the Australian pace battery alongside Green, Stoinis and Bartlett. Ellis has been a proven performer in T20Is, scalping 50 wickets in 32 matches. His wily variations and cutters could be handy for Australia in Colombo, where the ball tends to hold up a bit after pitching. 

Adam Zampa is expected to feature in this game after recovering from the injury that affected his performance in the T20I series against Pakistan. Considering spinners ruled the roost and bagged ten out of 16 wickets in the Sri Lanka vs Ireland match at R. Premadasa Stadium, Australia might strengthen their spin unit by adding Matthew Kuhnemann to the playing XI. 

Australia's probable playing XI vs Ireland

Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (C), Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Matthew Kuhnemann