In a major blow to the Australia national cricket team, Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins is doubtful for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Pat Cummins is currently struggling with his back injury, and has been ruled out of the remainder of the five-match Ashes series against the England national cricket team.
Australia uncertain about Pat Cummins’ participation in T20 World Cup
The 32-year-old Cummins has missed a lot of cricket activity this year due to his back injury, and he recently made his return to international cricket in the third Test against England in Adelaide.
He looked fully fit while bowling in the match and returned with figures of 3/69 and 3/48 in Australia’s 82-run series-win over the English team. However, Pat Cummins will no longer be available for the series as Australia have already retained the Ashes.
According to cricket.com.au, the Australian team is now considering whether Cummins will be considered for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. What is worth noting here is that Pat Cummins is not the captain of the Australian T20I team, and it is in fact Mitchell Marsh who leads the team in the shortest format.
Speaking to reporters, Australian head coach Andrew McDonald said that they can rest Pat Cummins now and give him more time to recover now that the series has been won. He elaborated:
“He won’t play any part in the rest of the series. There was talk that we were out for quite some time regarding his return. Yes, we were taking some risks. We’ve won the series now, and that was the goal. Putting him at further risk and putting him at risk for a longer period of time is not something we want to do. Pat is really comfortable with that. If he had had a setback even in the build-in, we would have shut him down straight away.
“Everything went really smoothly, and full credit to him, the medical team, and dealing with that risk profile, getting him back and taking six wickets in that game and clinching the Ashes series, it was incredibly enjoyable for everyone involved.”
Mitchell Starc is a freak – Andrew McDonald
Experienced left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc has been absolutely sensational in the ongoing Ashes series, taking 22 wickets in 6 innings at an impressive average of 17.04.
Talking about him, McDonald revealed that physiotherapist Nick Jones had called Mitchell Starc crazy because of the way he maintained himself. Andrew MacDonald elaborated:
“Starc is amazing. He’s done well. I don’t know how he does it. I went into the physio room the other day and looked at the body count and how we’re getting on and (physiotherapist Nick Jones) just said, ‘He’s a freak’.
“He is well prepared, he keeps running and presents the same pace that he does. There is a lot to be learned about preparing yourself and targeting the right matches at the right time.”
“He’s given up a lot of IPL opportunities and you’re looking at a player who wants to play Test cricket, and he’s still at his best. It’s an incredible story, and let’s hope it continues for a long time. But he’s a weird one – end of story.”
His shoulder kept falling – Andrew McDonald in place of Pat Cummins
Paceman Jhye Richardson has been recalled to the squad for the fourth Test against England as a replacement for Pat Cummins, and is in line to play his first Test in four years.
Talking about Jhye Richardson, Andrew McDonald said that he has been looking great since returning from shoulder surgery, which he underwent on the suggestion of the Cricket Australia (CA) medical staff.
“Another really good decision from the medical team. His shoulder kept falling down. It was really unstable. He decided to have surgery with the aim of coming back in the middle of the Ashes. We’ve got a high-profile bowling attack, so we always need backups. He’s incredibly skilled. That decision (to have surgery), we’re seeing some reward for it. It feels like he’s come back better. He’s really comfortable with where his shoulder is.” Is.”
Also read: Pat Cummins out of Ashes 2025-26, Australia announces squad for fourth Test
