Cummins Targets Test Series After Missing T20 World Cup

Pat Cummins, the Test and ODI captain of Australia, has officially withdrawn from the upcoming T20 World Cup. His decision comes as he prioritizes his health ahead of a significant 18-month cricket schedule. Ben Dwarshuis has been named as his replacement for the tournament in Sri Lanka and India.

Cummins’ Injury Concerns

Since Australia’s Caribbean tour last July, Cummins has been dealing with a persistent back injury. He last played during Australia’s victorious Ashes series in Adelaide, where the urn was retained in less than two weeks. Given his history of back issues, Cummins decided to forgo the final two Tests of the summer.

Recovery Timeline

• Cummins initially anticipated a four-week recovery period.
• A follow-up scan indicated additional recovery time was needed.
• The revised timeline left little room for starting the T20 World Cup preparations.

“It was really unfortunate,” Cummins said regarding his injury. “We knew we needed between four and eight weeks for proper recovery.” He expressed a strong desire to avoid rushing back into play.

Upcoming Challenges for Australia

Australia faces a challenging schedule beginning in August. The team will host Bangladesh for two Tests in Darwin and Mackay. Following this, they will visit South Africa in September, marking their first tour since the sandpaper scandal in 2018.

Major Matches in 2027

Australia’s packed schedule also includes:

• A five-Test Border-Gavaskar series in India.
• A historic pink-ball Test against England at the MCG in March.
• An away Ashes series and an ODI World Cup.
• A potential World Test Championship final at Lord’s in June.

Cummins emphasized the importance of getting his health right before this intense cricket period. He does not want to risk further injury that could hinder his performance in future matches.

Captaincy in IPL and T20 World Cup Challenges

Despite withdrawing from the T20 World Cup, Cummins remains optimistic about leading the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League, which begins on March 26. He noted that the nature of T20 matches is less demanding physically compared to Tests, allowing him a better opportunity to recover.

Australia recently faced challenges in T20s, losing 3-0 to Pakistan. The squad will also miss Mitch Starc, who has retired from T20 internationals, and Josh Hazlewood, who is recovering from an Achilles injury.

“Morale is good,” Cummins stated, expressing confidence in his teammates. The Australian squad for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup includes:

• Mitch Marsh (c)
• Xavier Bartlett
• Cooper Connolly
• Tim David
• Ben Dwarshuis
• Cameron Green
• Nathan Ellis
• Josh Hazlewood
• Travis Head
• Josh Inglis
• Matthew Kuhnemann
• Glenn Maxwell
• Matthew Renshaw
• Marcus Stoinis
• Adam Zampa

Sean Abbott will serve as the traveling reserve.

Group Stage Fixtures for Australia

As Australia gears up for the T20 World Cup, all match broadcasts will be available on Amazon Prime Video. The team’s preparation and performance will be closely monitored as they strive for success under challenging circumstances.