 "Pat Cummins' availability will be confirmed after a few weeks. Image: AFP")
Australia are set to take a cautious approach on the fitness of some of their biggest names ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, slated to be held in India and Sri Lanka in February. Pat Cummins , Josh Hazlewood and Tim David are likely to be included in Australia’s provisional squad for the tournament despite injury concerns.
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has confirmed that Cummins will be named in the 15-man squad that must be submitted before the ICC deadline on January 2, but suggested that a final decision on his participation will only be taken closer to the tournament.
Cummins, Australia’s captain across formats, has played just one international match since picking up a lumbar stress injury in his back in July. He made a return during the Adelaide Test against England, but was immediately withdrawn from the rest of the Ashes series to avoid the risk of aggravating the injury.
Cummins is scheduled to undergo another scan on his back in around four weeks, which will play a key role in determining his availability. Notably, Cummins has not featured in a T20I since the last T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. “Pat will have a scan, I think in another four weeks, so that’ll give us the information then on where he’s at for the World Cup,” McDonald was quoted as saying by ESPN.
Hazlewood & David almost confirmed
Josh Hazlewood, meanwhile, is expected to be fit in time for the World Cup despite missing the entire Ashes series due to injury. The fast bowler was in excellent form during the T20I series against India last month, and his return would be a big boost for Australia’s bowling attack.
“Josh is returning to bowl. He looks as though he should be right in terms of possible timeframes,” McDonald said.
Middle-order batter Tim David has also been hit by injury after suffering a grade two right hamstring strain while playing for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League. The injury has ruled him out of the remainder of the BBL season, but he could recover in time for the World Cup.
“I think the timeframe will be kind on TD as well. So he should be available no matter what that injury is,” McDonald said.