Overview
- Australia were eliminated from the group stage when the Zimbabwe–Ireland match was washed out, following defeats to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
- Ian Healy called the squad an unbalanced side, arguing selectors chased power hitters over specialists and left too many finishers with no reliable starters.
- Mark Waugh labeled the original omission of Steve Smith baffling and described it as an insult, noting Smith’s strong BBL form and non-selection even after joining as an injury replacement.
- Injuries to Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh’s late return disrupted plans, with Australia failing to defend 181 against Sri Lanka despite Marsh’s 54.
- Australia shuffled the XI for Sri Lanka by bringing in Marsh, Cooper Connolly and Xavier Bartlett, a move Healy questioned as Connolly’s selection also included frontline bowling duties.