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Australia captain Pat Cummins has placed his immediate participation in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup under a cloud, prioritizing rest and recovery after the ongoing 2025-26 Ashes at home. The decision intensified discussions over its availability.
Pat Cummins’ availability for 2026 T20 World Cup uncertain, fueling Australia’s captaincy concerns
Pat Cummins has completed his 2025-26 Ashes duty at home, as the ace fast bowler is now focusing on the next major objective, namely the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026. After a carefully managed injury comeback, Cummins has decided that rest is the priority before the start of the big tournament in early February in India and Sri Lanka.
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The Australian skipper said playing back-to-back Tests was risky, so he decided to skip the last two Ashes Tests against England. Now, the star bowler just wants to stay fresh and fit and be ready for the showpiece event in India and Sri Lanka.
Pat Cummins told Channel 7 during the lunch break on the first day at the MCG: “I felt good, so I got through Adelaide unscathed, so happy. A few weeks ago I was still coming back from a back injury, so playing back-to-back Test matches was quite risky. Take it easy a bit with the T20 World Cup next month.”
🗣️ “Playing back-to-back test matches is quite risky, so we will take it easy. T20 World Cup next month.”
– Pat Cummins on his next steps pic.twitter.com/J4POcYTsyO
– 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 26, 2025
Pat Cummins’ injury and cautious return
Cummins has not had a smooth start to the 2025-26 Ashes against England at home. A lower back injury he picked up during the West Indies tour earlier this year ruled him out of the first two Tests. However, he made a stunning comeback in the third Test in Adelaide.
The Australian captain scalped six wickets and helped Australia win the third Test to seal the Ashes series against England. While Australia retained the urn, they opted not to risk their captain in the remaining matches, keeping the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in mind.
Although he did not take the field in the Boxing Day Test, Cummins remained with the Australian team in Melbourne, supporting his teammates from the dressing room. However, they suffered a four-wicket defeat against England in the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday 27 December.
With no matches scheduled for Australia after the final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 4, 2026, Cummins is now taking a short break to let his body fully recover ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, where they will kick off their campaign against Ireland on February 11, 2026 in Colombo.
Read also: First time in 129 years! Ashes 2025-26 produces two 2-day Tests in historic shame
Andrew McDonald’s ‘grey’ assessment
However, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said that Cummins’ availability for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will depend on his recovery. He explained that Cummins will likely undergo tests to check how his back is reacting, but they are positive about his chances.
McDonald had said: “It will be an assessment. I suppose he will have a registration scan at some point and gather more information about where his back is… looking forward to the World Cup, whether he will be there or not. I can’t really say. It’s quite gray at the moment. We’re hopeful.”
Notably, Cummins has so far played 22 matches in the T20 World Cup and scalped 23 wickets at an average of 28.26 and an economy rate of 7.83 while batting at 21.6.
