Australia’s pace spearhead and captain, Pat Cummins, has officially withdrawn from the upcoming T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India. While fans were hoping to see the skipper leading the charge, Cummins has revealed that a “minor setback” with a recurring back injury forced his hand. Ben Dwarshuis has been called up to fill the void, but the move isn’t just about immediate recovery—it’s a calculated gamble to ensure he’s fit for the most grueling 18 months in Australian cricket history.
Cummins has been battling back issues since the Caribbean tour last July. After the Aussies retained the Ashes in a whirlwind 11 days in Adelaide, the plan was to rest him for the final two Tests to prep for the T20 World Cup. However, follow-up scans showed that the bone hadn’t settled as quickly as hoped. “The timeline just became a bit too tight,” Cummins admitted. Given his history of stress fractures early in his career, the 32-year-old is understandably wary of “chasing his tail” by returning too soon.
Prioritizing Longevity Over the T20 World Cup
The decision to skip the world stage wasn’t easy, but the logic is sound: 2026 and 2027 are absolutely “monster” years for the Baggy Green. Starting in August, Australia faces an unprecedented schedule including a historic return to South Africa, a five-Test tour of India, the 150th Anniversary Test at the MCG, an away Ashes series, and the ODI World Cup. By sitting out now, Cummins is banking on being 100% fit for that marathon.
“We thought the first half of the year was a pretty good time to be conservative,” Cummins told AAP. “If you’re not careful with it now and it flares up, you’re chasing tail a bit.”
This long-term view is essential for a fast bowler of his caliber. While T20s are physically less demanding than the five-day grind, the risk of a “flare-up” during the high-intensity tournament could have derailed his entire 2027 campaign. For now, the focus shifts to a slow build-up, with hopes that he can still lead the Sunrisers Hyderabad when the IPL kicks off on March 26.
Australia’s Uphill Battle Without the “Big Three”
The timing of Cummins’ injury couldn’t be worse for Australia’s T20 prospects. Following a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of Pakistan, the squad is looking a bit thin in the bowling department. With Mitch Starc officially retired from the shortest format and Josh Hazlewood set to miss the opening stages of the tournament, the Australian attack will look drastically different.
Despite the recent losses and the absence of his fellow pace icons, Cummins remains optimistic about the team’s morale. He noted that the squad is fresh off a strong Big Bash season and many players are hungry to prove themselves on the world stage. However, the pressure is firmly on the likes of Dwarshuis and the remaining veterans to steady the ship in what is shaping up to be a very challenging tournament in the subcontinent.
