Australia's T20 World Cup campaign hangs by a thread after shock defeats to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, with injury setbacks and controversial selection decisions -- including Steve Smith's omission -- drawing sharp criticism.
Australia's title bid will be tested by injuries and Asian conditions at the T20 World Cup.
Australia arrive in Pakistan for three-match T20I series ahead of T20 World Cup
Josh Hazlewood showed exactly why Royal Challengers Bengaluru splashed the cash for his services as the refreshed Australian seamer produced suffocating spells to help his team secure an opening victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Travis Head was named as Australia's captain against Ireland, while left-hander Matt Renshaw made his T20 World Cup debut.
The 34-year-old was training in Brisbane as a part of Australia's preparations for the World Test Championship final against South Africa next month and being monitored by Cricket Australia's medical team.
A calf injury forced Josh Hazlewood to miss being part of Australia's World Test Championship win two years ago and the fast bowler is keen to avoid a second such heartbreak.
Josh Hazlewood has been a standout performer for RCB this season, claiming 18 wickets in 10 innings at an economy rate of 8.27.
The wealth of experience in Australia's ranks helped them remain calm in a difficult lead-up to the Ashes, fast bowler Mitchell Starc said after they defeated England on Sunday to win the series with two matches to spare.
Virat Kohli fell victim to a well-directed short ball from Josh Hazlewood.
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh says team respects criticism after shock T20 World Cup exit, with Cricket Australia set to conduct a forensic review.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha and Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh were spotted on a tuk-tuk ride near Gaddafi Stadium ahead of the T20I series opener in Lahore, triggering mixed reactions on social media.
Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup with a back injury, with left-armer Ben Dwarshuis named as his replacement.
Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri firmly believes Australia should select experienced pacer Josh Hazlewood ahead of Scott Boland for the WTC Final against South Africa in June.
Australia's Travis Head finished as the leading scorer of the Ashes series with 629 runs from five Tests, including three centuries.
Kevin Pietersen criticises England after their Ashes loss in Adelaide
The atmosphere in Ahmedabad ahead of the T20 World Cup final between India and New Zealand is markedly different from the previous final, with Indian fans confident of victory. New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner acknowledges the overwhelming support for India while rallying Kiwi fans back home.
All-rounder Max Maxwell, who has been sidelined by a wrist injury, will come in for the last three games, while Test certainty Josh Hazlewood will skip the last three games.
Australia, dealing with injury concerns surrounding captain Mitchell Marsh, will face a potentially tricky Zimbabwe side in their upcoming T20 World Cup Group B match. The Aussies are aiming for a Super Eights spot, but Zimbabwe's bowling attack and experienced players could pose a challenge.
Cummins has been sidelined with a lumbar stress injury since Australia swept West Indies in the Caribbean in July.
Josh Hazlewood, who was recalled after recovering from a side injury that ruled him out of the second Test, did not start on the ground on day four at the Gabba on Tuesday and bowled only one over before chatting to a team physio during a drinks break.
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said the team is ready for the Pakistan T20I series despite a short, interrupted build-up, calling the tour vital preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
'The body is holding together, and it's a great group to be a part of.'
Australia began their T20 World Cup campaign with a thumping 67-run victory over Ireland, in Colombo, on Wednesday.
'He is not changing it anymore and hopefully he sticks to it and plays many more knocks like this for us.'
Opener Brian Bennett smashed a half-century and pacer Blessing Muzarabani bagged four wickets as Zimbabwe caused the biggest upset of the T20 World Cup, outclassing Australia by 23 runs.
Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Test against India in Adelaide with a low grade side injury.
Australia captain Pat Cummins will be ready to return from injury for the third Ashes Test against England in Adelaide.
Josh Hazlewood is likely to rejoin Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of the IPL playoffs, having recovered from a shoulder niggle.
I don't want to feel any pressure about not bowling a certain ball because it's first ball: Ellis
Hazlewood has been replaced in the squad by Riley Meredith
Formidable India have their tails up as they head to the gargantuan MCG for the second T20I against Australia here on Friday, thanks to the influx of young talent and the return to form of skipper Suryakumar Yadav.
Jasprit Bumrah's impact, precision and big-match temperament in the T20 World Cup draw comparisons with Sachin Tendulkar, as India's pace spearhead continues to shape games with unmatched control and cricketing intelligence.
Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is "frustrated" by the timing of his injury after being ruled out of the remaining two Tests against India due to a right calf strain, sustained during the drawn third match at the Gabba.
Mitch Owen has been rewarded for his fine form in his first five Twenty20 internationals by being named in both of Australia's squads for short-format series against South Africa in the far north of the country next month.
Form and familiarity favour India in T20 World Cup
Australia head coach and selector Andrew McDonald has confirmed Usman Khawaja will play in the fifth Ashes Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground amid media speculation it could be his last international.
Australia ruthlessly completed a 159-run victory over West Indies in the first Test in Barbados on Friday after Josh Hazlewood's five-wicket masterclass broke the hosts' resistance on a pitch that deteriorated into a bowler's paradise.
Regular captain Pat Cummins was named in the Australia squad on Wednesday for the third Ashes Test against England, a strong indication that the inspirational fast bowler will see his first action of the series in Adelaide next week.
Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title in familiar home conditions next month.
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