Andrew McDonald Reveals Why Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc And Josh Hazlewood Were Rested For Pakistan, Bangladesh Tours

Andrew McDonald confirmed Cricket Australia rested Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood to manage workloads ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup plans.

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has clarified that the decision to rest Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood for the upcoming white-ball tours of Pakistan and Bangladesh was taken directly by Cricket Australia as part of a long-term workload management strategy.

The trio, considered the backbone of Australia’s pace attack across formats, have been left out to manage their fitness amid an extremely demanding international schedule. Australia are expected to play as many as 21 Test matches within a year, prompting selectors and team management to carefully monitor player workloads.

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McDonald stressed that the bigger picture remains the ICC ODI World Cup 2027, where Australia want all three fast bowlers fully fit and available.

“I think people look at the immediate games and go, ‘Well, why aren’t they playing there?’” McDonald said. “But if you actually work back from 2027 and look at what we’ve got coming up, this is the last significant break that we get to invest into their bodies to set themselves up to get all the way through to 2027. We are planning for them to be there in 2027.”

Currently, all three pacers are involved in IPL 2026, with Cummins and Hazlewood still active in the playoffs stage of the tournament.

“We just don’t feel like it’s the best time for them to play,” McDonald added.

Packed Schedule Forces Australia To Protect Key Fast Bowlers

The Australian team management has increasingly focused on preserving its premier pace battery due to continuous bilateral series, ICC events, and franchise cricket commitments around the world.

Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood have all dealt with injury concerns over the past few years, making recovery windows extremely important ahead of future global tournaments.

Rather than risking fatigue or fresh injuries during the Pakistan and Bangladesh white-ball tours, Cricket Australia has chosen to give the trio a carefully managed break before another heavy cycle of cricket begins.

The move also underlines Australia’s intent to maintain the same experienced core for the 2027 ODI World Cup campaign despite the advancing age of their senior fast bowlers.

Tim David Still In Australia’s ODI World Cup Plans

McDonald also addressed Tim David’s ODI future despite the power-hitter not making himself available regularly for the format.

The Australian coach revealed that David still remains a strong option for the 2027 ODI World Cup, especially as a finishing batter in the lower middle order.

Born in Singapore before shifting to Australia, Tim David has established himself as one of the most destructive T20 batters in world cricket. He has already represented Australia in 57 T20Is, scoring 1,044 runs at an average of 30.70 and a strike rate of 174, including a century and five fifties.

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However, his ODI experience remains limited, having played only four matches before the 2023 World Cup in India.

David is currently enjoying another explosive IPL campaign with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026. In 13 innings, he has scored 277 runs at an average of 39.57 and a strike rate touching 197, including a highest score of 70 not out.