Major update on Pat Cummins & Tim David's injuries & return timelines ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
Australia are placed in Group B in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Over the last few months, Australia’s test and ODI captain Pat Cummins has missed crucial campaigns due to his back injury. The right-arm pacer featured in only one test of The Ashes 2025-26, while Steve Smith captained the team in four out of five matches. Cummins is gearing up for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026; however, he is still recovering from his back issue.
The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will begin on February 7, with 20 teams competing for the title. Australia are placed in Group B in the tournament, alongside Sri Lanka, Oman, Ireland, and Zimbabwe in their pool.
Mitchell Marsh will captain them in the tournament. They have already named a preliminary squad for this campaign, but some key members will be finalised later based on their fitness status. January 31 is the deadline for all teams to submit their squads to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Pat Cummins set to miss opening games of T20 World Cup
Notably, Cummins was named in Australia‘s preliminary squad for the T20 World Cup despite suffering from a back issue. George Bailey, Australia’s chairman of selectors, gave a huge update on Cummins’ availability in the ICC tournament on Monday, January 19.
Speaking to cricket.com.au, Bailey revealed that the veteran pacer is set to miss the opening games of the tournament. He also added that Tim David has recovered from his injury and will be available for the campaign.
“[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. It was just, I think, on the back of a heavy week. So he’s still tracking for the start of the tournament”, Bailey said.
“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,” he added.
“Part of that will certainly be how (Hazlewood and Cummins) are tracking and looking for the tournament, and if they’re both going well, then it’ll be just about covering any potential gaps that we may see throughout the tournament,” Bailey concluded.
Hence, Cummins is set to miss Australia’s two opening games in the T20 World Cup 2026. Their first two matches are scheduled for February 11 and 13 against Ireland and Zimbabwe, respectively. Both matches will take place in Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, Cummins has been ruled out of the T20I series against Pakistan, which is scheduled to begin in January. Both sides will lock horns in three T20I games, which will act as a platform to prepare for the T20 World Cup.
When did Pat Cummins last play for Australia?
Pat Cummins last played for Australia in the third test of The Ashes 2025-26 in December.
Australia are placed in which group in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026?
Australia are placed in Group B in the tournament.
For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.
Vikas Singh Derek is a core cricket-lover since childhood and has always followed the sport both in his personal and professional life. He started his school life by watching cricket at home with family. Later, he played cricket on the field at local clubs during college. After his Master's in Journalism from Mumbai, he followed his passion by covering cricket news across various digital media. Since 2015, he has been an aspiring sports journalist and cricket content writer with over 50K+ articles.