AUS vs SL: Why did Matt Renshaw miss T20 World Cup 2026 match 30?

Matt Renshaw was part of Australia’s last two games in the T20 World Cup 2026

Australia are squaring off with Sri Lanka in their third game of the T20 World Cup 2026 on Monday, February 16. Both teams are placed in Group B in the tournament. The venue of the AUS vs SL, match 30 of the tournament, is Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele.

Mitchell Marsh led Australia in the campaign. They won their first game against Ireland but lost their previous clash against Zimbabwe. The defeat came as a big blow for Australia.

With two points, they are placed in the third spot in the Group B points table. They have to win the clash against Sri Lanka at any cost to keep their hopes of reaching the Super 8 Round alive. Even with a victory, their qualification to the next round is not confirmed.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka have won two games in a row and grab the top spot in the Group B points table with four points. The Dasun Shanaka & Co. will book a berth in the Super 8 stage if they crush Australia in the match. Moreover, they also have the home advantage in the encounter.

Notably, after missing Australia’s first two games, Marsh returned for the game against Sri Lanka, too. Marsh has made a comeback after recovering from his groin injury. In his absence, Travis Head led the side in the previous two matches. At the toss, Marsh revealed that Matt Renshaw is not part of the AUS vs SL clash.

Why did Matt Renshaw miss Australia’s clash against Sri Lanka?

Notably, Renshaw hammered a half-century in the last game against Zimbabwe in a losing cause. Also, he scored 37 runs in the first game against Ireland. Despite his good performance in the last game, he was dropped from the clash against Zimbabwe.

Notably, Marsh did not provide the reason for Renshaw’s ouster. However, it seems he has been dropped from the playing XI due to the need for an extra spin bowling all-rounder. Australia have made three changes to their playing XI, adding Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, and Marsh.

So, with Marsh’s return, Renshaw has lost his place in the game as Josh Inglis will play lower down the order and not as an opener. Also, Conolly has been preferred over Renshaw in the playing XI. Conolly’s addition has also affected his spot in the game.

“All okay, ready to go tonight. It’s a big game, every game comes with great responsibility. Weren’t at our best last game. Myself, Cooper Connolly and Xavier Bartlett come in,” Marsh said at the toss.

Meanwhile, Smith was added as a cover for Marsh initially, but has been officially confirmed as the replacement for Josh Hazlewood. The Australian pacer was ruled out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury. However, Smith was not part of the clash against Sri Lanka.

Australia (Playing XI): Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Tim David, Josh Inglis(w), Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(w), Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka(c), Kamindu Mendis, Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana.

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