Shockwaves rippled through cricket circles as Australia bowed out of the T20 World Cup 2026 in the group phase, defeated convincingly by Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. The early exit marks a low point, drawing fierce backlash from former stars. Glenn McGrath, Australia’s greatest wicket-taker, didn’t mince words: the team’s aura of invincibility is gone.
McGrath told the Morning Herald that red flags were evident from day one. ‘The outcomes match our initial fears. Their stronghold has crumbled,’ he asserted. This candid assessment highlights a team in transition, grappling with identity issues on the global stage.
Selection choices came under fire, especially sidelining Steve Smith for Cameron Green. ‘Why include an all-rounder who doesn’t bowl?’ McGrath probed. Green’s lackluster showing—24 runs in three outings, featuring a zero, and scant overs—intensified scrutiny on national selectors.
Jason Gillespie, another pace great, joined the chorus, criticizing the reliance on Green and Cooper Connolly. ‘The backing didn’t pay off,’ he remarked. As Australia licks its wounds, these voices demand a strategic overhaul.
Looking ahead, the path to redemption involves tough decisions. Will lessons from this failure propel a resurgence, or signal deeper woes?