Australia’s hopes of getting Pat Cummins fit for the 2025 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka remain uncertain as the fast bowler continues to work his way back from a back injury. Cummins missed the opening two Ashes Tests before returning to Adelaide, where he took six wickets and played a crucial role in sealing a 3-0 series victory. However, his availability for the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7, is yet to be confirmed.
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald admitted the situation remains unclear. “I’m looking forward to the World Cup, whether it’s going to be there or not, I can’t really say. It’s quite gray at the moment. We’re hopeful,” McDonald said. Cummins is recovering from a lumbar stress reaction suffered during Australia’s tour of the West Indies in July, an injury that has required careful management and a gradual return.
Cummins’ appearance in the third Test was always planned to be a one-off. McDonald said the pacer came through the match without any problems but will not feature again in the series. “He’s come in well. He won’t play any part in the rest of the series and that’s been a discussion we’ve had for a long time about him coming back,” he said. Australia feared that extending his workload could jeopardize his long-term fitness, a view shared by the medical staff and Cummins himself.
“We were taking some risk, and people who understand this rebuild would know the risk involved,” McDonald explained. “Now we won the series and that was the goal. With ash secured, Australia has chosen to be cautious about short-term gains.
“So putting him at further risk and putting him at risk long-term is not something we want to do and Pat is really comfortable with that,” McDonald added. The emphasis, he said, remains on Cummins not rushing back, especially as the global tournament approaches.
Australia opened their T20 World Cup campaign on February 11 against Ireland in Colombo. While Cummins captains Australia in Tests and ODIs, the T20I side is led by Mitchell Marsh. McDonald stressed Cummins’ successful return to Adelaide was the result of careful planning. “If he had any setbacks in construction, we would have shut him down immediately. Everything went smoothly and full credit goes to him and the medical team,” he said.
Selection for the T20 World Cup squad is expected soon, although McDonald confirmed further medical assessments will shape the final decision. “There will be another assessment,” he said. “I imagine he’ll have a scan at some point and we’ll gather more information about where his back is heading into the World Cup. Whether he’ll be there or not, I can’t really say.”
Cummins last played a T20I in mid-2024 during the previous T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA. Apart from the international calendar, he is also set to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
December 23, 2025
