Despite both fast bowlers dealing with injury issues, Australia is expected to include Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in their provisional team for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. With fitness evaluations planned closer to the competition, head coach Andrew McDonald affirmed that the selectors are prepared to support the seasoned pacers. Another player under scrutiny is all-rounder Tim David, who had a hamstring injury during the Big Bash League.
Although adjustments are allowed closer to the event, the tentative 15-man team must be submitted by the ICC deadline on January 2. Australia’s campaign starts on February 11 against Ireland and continues with Group B matches against Zimbabwe, Oman, and co-hosts Sri Lanka.
Australia’s biggest fitness question is still Cummins. Since July, the 32-year-old has only participated in one international game due to a lumbar stress injury. As a precaution, he was removed from the rest of the Ashes series after making a successful comeback against England in the Adelaide Test, where he claimed six wickets.
In order to ascertain Cummins’ suitability for the World Cup, McDonald announced that he will have another scan in four weeks. The pacer will be included in the tentative team despite the uncertainty.
“I believe that in four more weeks, Pat will have a scan, which will provide us with information about his World Cup location. After he is named in the squad of 15, we will receive information about his current location,” McDonald stated.
Josh Hazlewood is going to bowl again: Andrew McDonald
Hazlewood, meanwhile, is anticipated to return in time after missing the entire Ashes series because of hamstring and Achilles ailments. The fast bowler is making a slow comeback to bowling after an outstanding T20I series against India.
“Hazlewood is coming back to bowl. In terms of potential timelines, he appears to be correct,” McDonald continued.
In addition, David is the third player to raise concerns due to a hamstring injury he suffered on Boxing Day while playing for the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL. To ascertain the extent of the damage, the middle-order batter was scheduled to have scans. Given that this is a different hamstring from the one that was damaged earlier this year, the head coach expressed optimism that David would benefit from the timing.
“I’m not sure if it’s a tendon or just pure muscle, and that will give us a timeline.” The timeline, in my opinion, will also be favourable to TD. Therefore, regardless of the nature of that injury, he ought to be available,” McDonald said.
As part of their preparation, Australia will also go to Pakistan for three Twenty20 Internationals in late January; however, this may lead certain players to miss the BBL’s final stages.
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