Australia set to include Cummins, Hazlewood in T20 World Cup squad

Australia is set to name Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in their provisional squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 despite both fast bowlers managing injury concerns. Head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed that the selectors are willing to back the experienced pacers, with fitness assessments scheduled closer to the tournament. All-rounder Tim David is another player under observation after sustaining a hamstring injury during the Big Bash League.

The provisional 15-man squad must be submitted by the ICC deadline on January 2, although changes are permitted closer to the event. Australia begins its campaign on February 11 against Ireland, followed by matches against Zimbabwe, Oman, and co-hosts Sri Lanka in Group B.

Cummins remains the biggest fitness question for Australia. The 32-year-old has played just one international match since July after suffering a lumbar stress injury in his back. He made a successful return in the Adelaide Test against England, taking six wickets, but was withdrawn from the remainder of the Ashes series as a precaution.

McDonald confirmed that Cummins will undergo another scan in four weeks, which will determine his availability for the World Cup. Despite the uncertainty, the pacer will be named in the provisional squad.

"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. He'll be named in the squad of 15, and then we'll get that information as to where he's at," McDonald said. 

Josh is returning to bowl: Andrew McDonald

Meanwhile, Hazlewood, who missed the entire Ashes series due to hamstring and Achilles injuries, is also expected to be fit in time. The fast bowler had a brilliant T20I series against India and is gradually returning to bowling.

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

Furthermore, David is the third injury concern after he sustained a hamstring issue while playing for the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL on Boxing Day. The middle-order batter was due to undergo scans to determine the severity of the injury. The head coach expressed confidence that the timeframe would work in David’s favour, noting that it is a different hamstring from the one injured earlier this year.

"Not sure whether it's just pure muscle or tendon, and that'll give us a timeframe. I think the timeframe will be kind on TD as well. So he should be available no matter what that injury is," McDonald concluded.

Australia will also tour Pakistan for three T20Is in late January as part of their preparation, although this may cause some players to miss the latter stages of the BBL.