Australia to rope in Steve Smith as cover after opening batter suffers groin injury ahead of AUS vs IRE T20 World Cup 2026 match 

Cricket Australia (CA) are all set to include veteran in-form batter Steve Smith in the T20 World Cup 2026 squad as Mitchell Marsh is dealing with a groin injury ahead of their clash against Ireland. The skipper sustained a blow during a training session recently, which rules him out of the group stage encounter in Colombo on Wednesday, February 11.

“He is experiencing ongoing pain and discomfort which is restricting his movement. Scans have confirmed internal testicular bleeding and he will require a period of rest and rehabilitation. His return to play will be guided by symptom resolution and medical advice. Stand by player Steve Smith will travel to Sri Lanka as cover to acclimatise and prepare, should he be required,” an official statement read.

Marsh’s unavailability is just the latest blow for Australia in the build-up to their World Cup campaign. The experienced pace bowling duo of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were also ruled out of the tournament recently due to long-term injuries. In that instance, pace-bowling all-rounder Sean Abbott was added as cover.

From the current squad, Australia have the option of deploying either Josh Inglis or Cameron Green at the top of the order in Marsh’s absence. As far as the leadership duties are concerned, Travis Head has walked out for the toss on the ground. He has led the team twice in his career, including the recent first T20I against Pakistan in Lahore.

“Yeah, we have had a couple of injuries. Marsh got himself injured, but a couple of boys are back from the Pakistan series. We have a strong team and eagerly looking forward,” Travis Head said at the toss.

Australia elected to bat first after winning the toss, and continue to remain without the injured Tim David. However, the bowling pair of Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa are fit, and feature in the playing XI.

Steve Smith last played a T20I in early 2024 during the New Zealand tour

The veteran batter was in a rich vein of form during the 2025-26 Big Bash League (BBL), where he played a massive role in the Sydney Sixers’ run to the finals, before losing to the Perth Scorchers. Featuring as an opener, he struck 299 runs in just six matches at an average of 59.80 and a strike rate of 167.97.

The last of Smith’s 67 T20I appearances so far came in February 2024 during the tour of New Zealand, where he was dismissed for just four runs. He missed out on the 2024 T20 World Cup squad despite the tournament being played on sluggish surfaces in the Caribbean.

Despite retiring from ODIs after the 2025 Champions Trophy, Smith has persisted with the shortest format with an eye on the historic 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.