File photo of the Australian cricket team during the ICC Twenty20 World Cup match in Colombo.
| Photo Credit: AP
Australia stand-in captain Travis Head won the toss and elected to bowl against Zimbabwe in their T20 World Cup match in Colombo on Friday (February 13, 2026).
Both sides made two changes each from their previous match playing XIs.
Ben Dwarshuis and Tim David replaced Cooper Connolly and Xavier Bartlett in the Australian team.
For Zimbabwe, Tony Munyonga and Greame Creamer are coming in for Brendan Taylor and Richard Ngarava.
Mitchell Marsh misses second World Cup game
Captain Mitchell Marsh was again missing for Australia in their second game at the T20 World Cup, against Zimbabwe in Colombo on Friday (February 13, 2026), after suffering internal testicular bleeding.
Marsh is still recovering after being struck in the groin during training, with Travis Head leading the former champions at R. Premadasa Stadium.
Marsh also missed the win over Ireland on Wednesday (February 11, 2026) and Steve Smith was called up as cover.
“Steve Smith hasn’t reached Colombo yet but hopefully the skipper is fit soon,” Head said at the toss, which he won and chose to bowl against Zimbabwe.
The in-form Smith is one of Australia’s most experienced and best players against spin.
But he was controversially omitted from the squad despite his blistering Big Bash League form as an opening batsman.
Australia are already without pace bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, who are ruled out of the competition with injuries.
Teams:
Australia: Travis Head (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Matthew Kuhnemann.
Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani.
(With inputs from AFP)
Published – February 13, 2026 10:54 am IST
