Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head - (Source: X.com)
On Friday, February 13, Australia took on Zimbabwe in match 19 of the T20 World Cup 2026. For the second consecutive match, Travis Head walked down for the toss, confirming Mitchell Marsh’s unavailability. Notably, the Bison has missed two matches because of a testicular injury.
There were reports that Marsh is all but ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026, and Steve Smith is flying to replace him in the World Cup squad. However, in the latest events, Head has dropped a massive update on Marsh’s availability, stating that the Bison might be available for the later stages of the tournament.
Travis Head refutes Marsh leaving the Australia camp midway
During the toss for the Australia vs Zimbabwe match, Head stated that he hopes that Marsh regains full fitness soon and added that Steve Smith is still in Toronto.
“No, Steve Smith’s not here yet. He played golf a couple of days ago, so I think he’s in Toronto, arriving tonight. It’ll be nice to have him around, and hopefully the skipper gets fit soon.”
What has happened to Mitchell Marsh?
Notably, before the Ireland match, Marsh was hit in the groin during training, resulting in internal bleeding. It led to Marsh missing out on the all-important T20 World Cup match.
“He is experiencing ongoing pain and discomfort, which is restricting his movement,” CA said in a statement on Wednesday evening, just minutes before the toss for the Australia-Ireland clash.
Steve Smith yet to be officially added to Australia squad
Australia are in a difficult situation at the moment. Out of their 15-member squad, only 13 are fit. Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out, but the Kangaroos have not named any replacement for the right-arm seamer. Now, the one-time winners have the chance to add Smith to the team, replacing Hazlewood and having Marsh still in the team, allowing the skipper to heal and then return for the later stages of the tournament.
However, in that case, Australia will be short of a bowler, which they could feel the void in the later stages of the tournament.
Will Steve Smith be a great asset for Australia in the T20 World Cup 2026?
For the unversed, Steve Smith has not played a T20I for the Men in Yellow for over two years, and his inclusion will be one of the biggest comebacks in T20 cricket. However, Smith's inclusion is positive for Australia because the right-handed batter is in some form.
Recently, Smith featured in BBL 2025-26, where he played six innings and amassed 299 runs, averaging 59.80 for the Sydney Sixers. Smudge scored a century and two fifties to put on a show for his fans. Therefore, Cricket Australia have thought of Steve Smith in the T20 World Cup squad.
Also, Smith will be available for selection for Australia’s third T20I match against Sri Lanka on Monday, February 16, at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. However, so far, Australia have not missed Mitchell Marsh in the tournament.
