The T20 World Cup 2026 delivered a rude shock to Australia, who crashed out in the first round following thrashings by Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. This unexpected group-stage elimination has ignited a firestorm of critique from ex-players, with Glenn McGrath leading the charge. The iconic fast bowler lamented the end of Australia’s fearsome reputation.
In an interview with the Morning Herald, McGrath was forthright. ‘Our dominance is finished. We saw this coming from the tournament’s outset,’ he said. His words paint a picture of a team stripped of its championship mojo, struggling against underdogs.
A major point of contention was the squad composition, particularly Cameron Green’s spot at Steve Smith’s expense. McGrath ripped into the decision: ‘Selecting him as an all-rounder when he barely bowled? It doesn’t add up.’ Green’s stats tell the tale—24 runs across three games, one a golden duck, and only seven deliveries sent down. Such underwhelming output has selectors under the microscope.
Fellow legend Jason Gillespie piled on, doubting the wisdom of picking Green and Cooper Connolly. ‘They couldn’t justify the trust,’ he observed. This double whammy of poor form and selection errors spells trouble for Australia’s T20 future.
With the dust settling on this debacle, attention turns to introspection. Can the team rediscover its swagger, or is this the new normal for the Aussies?