Australia captain Mitch Marsh confirmed that fast bowler Nathan Ellis is fit and available for the T20 World Cup 2026 opener against Ireland in Colombo on Wednesday, February 11. However, Marsh also revealed that Tim David will not play in the Ireland match as he is recovering from a hamstring strain.
Australia is set to become the last team among the 20 participants to begin their campaign in the T20 World Cup. Many Full Member nations have already faced tough challenges from associate teams during the tournament. However, the associate teams failed to cause any upsets at the start of the marquee event.
We’ll definitely see him back in contention – Mitchell Marsh on Tim David
Speaking before the match, Mitch Marsh said that Tim David would not return to the squad for the first match of the World Cup. Marsh said David will be back in contention in the next few matches as his recovery continues.
“We will definitely see them back in contention in the next few games,” Marsh said during the pre-match press conference.
Tim David continues recovery ahead of Australia’s busy World Cup schedule
Tim David is recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during the Big Bash League in December. He has not played since Boxing Day, when he was injured while batting for the Hobart Hurricanes.
The 29-year-old has joined the Australian squad in Colombo, but there is still no clear date for his return to match action. Since arriving in Sri Lanka last week, David has trained vigorously with the T20 team.
He has taken part in every Australian practice batting session in Colombo except one optional hit-out and also completed a number of running and fielding drills, including a full run between the wickets in match gear on Tuesday. Australia will play its first two matches just a day apart.
Also read: CSK breaks silence on sale rumors amid billion-dollar IPL franchise interest
