Josh Hazlewood will not be on tomorrow’s flight to Colombo. The fast-bowler is still easing an Achilles tendon and, for now, the medical staff think Sydney’s predictability beats the uncertainty of a World Cup training block. Selector Tony Dodemaide spelled it out: “We felt with Josh it was more practical and beneficial for him to continue his rehabilitation at home in a familiar environment before travelling to Sri Lanka,” he said. “With Nathan also completing his return to play we decided to bring Sean with us as fast bowling cover should anything come up at short notice.”
That cover is Sean Abbott. He was already in Pakistan for the recent T20Is and will now head straight on as the squad’s travelling reserve. Dodemaide added, “Sean is an accomplished and versatile international player who has experienced numerous World Cup campaigns. It made sense for him to stay with the group following the Pakistan tour.”
Tim David, Nathan Ellis and Glenn Maxwell are on the main flight, having sat out the recent Pakistan trip through various niggles and workload management. They touch down in Colombo on Tuesday, in time for Thursday’s warm-up against the Netherlands. Australia’s opening group match is on 11 February against Ireland in Kandy.
Context and concerns
Hazlewood has not played since the first half of the home summer. A minor hamstring strain ended his Ashes, and the Achilles flared during rehab. Last month he said he “felt on track” for the World Cup, but the timeline has clearly shifted. Achilles injuries can be fickle for fast bowlers—miles in the legs matter, but so does confidence in the landing foot. Australia, already without Pat Cummins, can ill afford another new-ball hole.
Cummins withdrew from the tournament a fortnight ago, conceding he “needed more time” to strengthen a back that limited him to one Ashes Test. Ben Dwarshuis came in for Cummins, while Matt Renshaw replaced Matthew Short, giving the selectors another left-hander in the top order.
Maxwell remains the other headline fitness watch. The all-rounder shattered an ankle last autumn at a friend’s backyard party, returned for the BBL, then skipped Pakistan to keep the workload sensible. Nathan Ellis missed Hobart Hurricanes’ finals with a hamstring tweak, and Tim David has not played since Boxing Day thanks to a second hamstring strain in eight months.
Even spinner Adam Zampa had a scare—groin tightness during the final Pakistan game limited him to two overs and no bat. Cricket Australia said that was “precautionary”, yet the sheer number of minor issues is giving analysts plenty to chat about.
What Abbott offers
Abbott is unlikely to start if Hazlewood becomes available, but the 31-year-old’s reliability is valued. He swings the new ball, can bowl at the death, fields sharply and bats usefully at No. 8 or 9. In Sri Lankan conditions, the ability to adapt quickly from new-ball duties to cross-seam cutters at the death carries weight.
Quiet optimism
Inside the camp the line is measured. Coaches believe Hazlewood could join mid-tournament if the first fortnight goes smoothly. A modern World Cup lasts nearly a month; losing a bowler for the opening two matches is inconvenient rather than catastrophic. Ireland and Scotland are Australia’s early opponents before a likely sterner test against South Africa.
Squad in full
Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, Sean Abbott (travelling reserve).
Next steps
Players arrive on Tuesday, train on Wednesday, face the Dutch on Thursday. If Hazlewood’s rehab progresses to plan he could be on a plane by the end of next week. If not, Abbott’s extra luggage allowance suddenly looks like a sensible bit of forward planning.
