Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins is set to miss at least the opening matches of the 2026 T20 World Cup, as confirmed by selector George Bailey on Monday. Bailey revealed that Cummins is expected to join the squad later in the tournament and is unlikely to be available until around the third or fourth game.
Cummins is still recovering from a lumbar bone stress injury. The issue first surfaced before the 2025-26 Ashes series and forced him to miss four of the five Tests. Cummins underwent an intensive rehabilitation plan during the Ashes and briefly returned in the third Test at Adelaide, where he took six wickets.
He’ll Probably Join That World Cup Group… – George Bailey on Pat Cummins
George Bailey clarified the exclusion of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Tim David from Australia’s squad for the three-match T20I series against Pakistan. He also shared an update on when each player is expected to return.
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Bailey explained that David had a minor setback in his hamstring recovery last week but remains on track to be ready for the start of the tournament. He added that Hazlewood is in a similar situation, while Cummins is likely to return around the third or fourth match of the tournament.
“[David] had a very minor setback (for hamstring injury recovery), I think last week, so didn’t quite get through a running session that he was hoping to, but has since been cleared of any damage,” Bailey said.
“It was just, I think, on the back of a heavy week. So he’s still tracking for the start of the tournament. Josh is in the same boat and Pat’s a little bit different … he’ll probably join that World Cup group a little bit later in the tournament, around game three or four.”
More to follow…
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