Cummins, Hazlewood Set to Be Included in Australia’s T20 World Cup Squad

Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Tim David are set to be named in Australia’s provisional squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, despite all three carrying recent injury concerns.

Australia coach Andrew McDonald confirmed that Cummins will be included in the 15-man squad, which must be submitted ahead of the ICC deadline on January 2. However, a final decision on the fast bowler’s participation will be made closer to the tournament, which begins in early February. Cummins is scheduled to undergo another scan on his back in four weeks to assess his recovery.

Cummins has played only one international match since sustaining a lumbar stress injury in July. He returned for the Adelaide Test against England, bowling impressively after a shortened preparation, but was subsequently withdrawn from the remainder of the Ashes series as Australia opted not to risk further injury. He has not played a T20 international since the previous T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.

“Pat will have a scan in another four weeks, so that’ll give us the information then on where he’s at for the World Cup,” McDonald said. “He’ll be named in the squad of 15, and then we’ll get that information as to where he’s at.”

Josh Hazlewood is also expected to be fit in time for the tournament, despite missing the entire Ashes series with a combination of hamstring and Achilles issues. Hazlewood had been in strong form earlier in the season, bowling effectively in Australia’s T20I series against India.

“Josh is returning to bowl,” McDonald said. “He looks as though he should be right in terms of possible timeframes.”

Middle-order batter Tim David is another likely inclusion despite being ruled out of the remainder of the Big Bash League after suffering a grade-two right hamstring strain on Boxing Day while playing for Hobart Hurricanes. David retired hurt during a run chase against Perth Scorchers, but team management is optimistic about his recovery.

“I think the timeframe will be kind on TD as well, so he should be available,” McDonald said.

Australia’s World Cup campaign begins on February 11, with group-stage matches against Ireland and Zimbabwe before facing Sri Lanka on February 16. The schedule could allow additional recovery time for David if required.

McDonald added that the provisional squad could still change based on Big Bash League performances or further injury developments before the final squad is locked in.

As part of their preparation, Australia will play three T20 internationals in Pakistan from late January. The timing of the series means several players selected for the World Cup squad are likely to miss some or all of the BBL finals.