Australia Back Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood for T20 World Cup 2026 Despite Ongoing Injury Concerns
Australia plan to include Cummins, Hazlewood and Tim David in their T20 World Cup 2026 squad despite injury concerns.
Australia are set to include Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Tim David in their provisional 15-man squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, despite all three dealing with recent injuries.
The squad must be submitted by January 2, and Australia have decided to back experience over short-term fitness worries. The management believes the trio will have enough time to recover before the tournament begins next month.
Cummins is currently sidelined with a lumbar stress injury and has played just one international match since July. He is scheduled for another scan in around four weeks, but selectors are confident enough to name him now.
“Pat will have a scan, I think, in another four weeks,” Australia coach Andrew McDonald said. “He will be named in the squad of 15, and then we will get that information as to where he is at.”
Hazlewood missed the recent Ashes series due to hamstring and Achilles issues, adding to Australia’s injury concerns. However, he has resumed bowling and is expected to be fit well before the World Cup.
“Josh is returning to bowl. He looks as though he should be right in terms of possible timeframes,” McDonald said, offering reassurance about the senior pacer.
Big-hitting all-rounder Tim David also picked up a fresh hamstring injury during the Big Bash League. Even so, the team management feels the recovery window works in his favour.
“Not sure whether it is just pure muscle or tendon,” McDonald said. “The timeframe will be kind on TD as well. He should be available no matter what that injury is.”
Australia begin their T20 World Cup campaign on February 11 against Ireland. They will also face Zimbabwe, Oman and co-hosts Sri Lanka in the group stage as they look to build momentum early.
Before the World Cup, Australia will tour Pakistan for a three-match T20I series in late January. Those games are expected to play a key role in match fitness and final team balance, especially for players returning from injury.
By sticking with Cummins, Hazlewood and David, Australia have made it clear they are willing to manage risk to keep their trusted core intact for the global event.
