Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood set to be included in Australia's 2026 T20 World Cup squad

Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Tim David are set to be included in Australia’s provisional squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year. All three players are out of cricketing action owing to injuries.

Cummins will undergo another scan on his back to assess his readiness to return to competitive cricket and confirm his participation in next year’s 20-team event. Cummins has been part of a solitary international fixture ever since he picked up a lumbar stress injury in his back in July. He was a part of the Adelaide encounter in the Ashes and withdrew after Australia gained an unassailable 3-0 lead, winning by 82 runs.

David, meanwhile, has been ruled out of the remainder of BBL with Hobart Hurricanes after a grade two hamstring strain though he has ample opportunity to recover in time for the World Cup, which will commence in February.

Coach Andrew McDonald stated that Australia will include Cummins in their 15-man squad that is to be announced before the January 2 deadline set by the ICC. He, however, confirmed that the final decision regarding his participation would be taken closer to the event.

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

As for Hazlewood, who has been ruled out of the Ashes with a hamstring and Achilles injuries, he is expected to be fit for the World Cup.

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

Asked about David’s situation, he said:

"I think the timeframe will be kind on TD as well. So he should be available no matter what that injury is."

Australia are set to travel to Pakistan to play three T20Is from late January in the buildup to the World Cup. Australia are slotted in Group B alongside Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman.