Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood Likely to Return for Australia’s T20 World Cup Squad

Australia is likely to include Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in their T20 World Cup squad despite injury concerns, with a final fitness call pending.

Australia is expected to include fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in their provisional squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, despite recent injury concerns.

Cummins returned during the third Ashes Test in Adelaide but was later rested for precautionary reasons. He is scheduled to undergo a fresh back scan in around four weeks, after which selectors will assess his readiness for the tournament starting on February 7.

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed that the medical review will play a key role in determining Cummins’ availability. Hazlewood is also expected to be monitored closely but remains firmly in contention.

“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 (T20) World Cup. He’ll be named in the squad of 15, and then we’ll get that information as to where he’s at,” Cricket Australia quoted McDonald as saying.

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

Tim David’s Fitness Key to Australia’s World Cup Plans

Middle-order hitter Tim David is another fitness watch. He suffered a right hamstring injury while playing in the Big Bash League for Hobart Hurricanes. The scan confirmed a grade-two strain, ruling him out for the rest of the BBL. However, his rehabilitation has progressed well, and he remains on course for selection.

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“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 (Tim David) as well. So he should be available no matter what that injury is,” the coach had said.

Australia begins their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on February 11.