Josh Hazlewood and Tim David could be available from the start of the World Cup, while Pat Cummins is expected to join from the third or fourth match.
Hazlewood is on the road to recovery, and Tim David, despite a minor setback during his rehab, is also on track to return in time. However, Australia will not have Pat Cummins available from the very start of the World Cup. The pacer is still being kept in the squad and is expected to join the team around the third or fourth match of the tournament.
Ahead of the World Cup, Australia will play a three-match T20 series in Pakistan. When announcing the squad for that series, chief selector George Bailey provided updates on the fitness of the three injury-affected World Cup players.
“TD (Tim David) had a small knock last week. He was hoping to start running sessions, but hasn’t quite managed that yet. But there’s no major damage. As things stand, he’s on track to be available from the start of the tournament. Josh (Hazlewood) is on the same path.”
“Pat’s (Cummins) situation is a little different… he’ll likely join the World Cup squad a bit later, around the third or fourth match.”
Hazlewood is also expected to play in the warm-up matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan ahead of the main tournament. David’s chances of doing so are slightly lower.
Since the last World Cup, Cummins has not played any T20Is for Australia. He will be returning to this format for another World Cup.
None of these three players are included in Australia’s squad for the Pakistan tour. Glenn Maxwell and Nathan Ellis, also part of the World Cup squad, have been rested from this series as they are currently involved in the Big Bash League.
Australia is sending a 17-member squad to Pakistan. Players who are not in the World Cup squad—Shaun Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Mitchell Winn, Josh Philippe, and Matt Renshaw—are included. Additionally, two newcomers who have not played international cricket, Mahli Beardman and Jack Edwards, are part of the squad.
Beardman was recently in the T20 squad for India. The 20-year-old pacer has played just 11 T20Is so far and has taken 8 wickets at an economy of 8.34 in this Big Bash season.
Edwards has earned his first T20I call-up, having previously been a temporary replacement in the ODI squad. The 25-year-old pace-bowling all-rounder has taken 15 wickets this Big Bash season, currently the fourth-highest, and has scored 115 runs at a strike rate of 192.
The three T20 matches in Pakistan are scheduled for January 29, 31, and February 1 in Lahore. Australia will begin their World Cup campaign on February 11 against Ireland.
Australia T20 World Cup squad
Mitchell Marsh (captain), Shaun Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Winn, Josh Philippe, Matt Renshaw, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
