Australia’s Josh Hazlewood unlikely to be fit for half of World Cup, Pat Cummins says

Australia quick bowler Josh Hazlewood might not return to motion till midway by means of the ‍T20 World Cup, injured teammate Pat Cummins stated on Tuesday (February 3, 2026).

Hazlewood, ​arguably the squad’s most vital bowler, has struggled ‌with hamstring and Achilles accidents and ​missed your complete five-test Ashes sequence towards England.

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald stated in mid-January that Hazlewood was on observe to be match for the squad’s World Cup opener towards Eire on February 11 however Cummins’ replace was much less optimistic.

“I caught up with Joshy ​a few days in the past and he’s working ⁠so onerous. I actually really feel for Joshy, he is had just a few setbacks, (he’s) one of many hardest trainers,” Cummins instructed Australian broadcaster 9 ​Community.

“He is doing all the pieces he ⁠can. I do not assume he shall be there for the beginning of the event, however he is attempting his finest to be there about midway by means of.”

With ‌Mitchell Starc having retired from the format and ‌Cummins sidelined with again issues, Australia head into the February 7-March 8 World Cup undermanned ‍and in poor type following a 111-run humiliation by Pakistan, which accomplished a 3-0 sequence whitewash.

Cummins stated gamers’ ‍late arrival to Pakistan after the home Massive Bash League had not helped.

“It wasn’t the sequence we have been hoping for,” he stated, including that, “It’s at all times higher while you’re successful, however they’ll shake that one off fairly rapidly.”

Cummins, who performed just one take a look at of the Ashes attributable to lumbar bone stress, stated he had run out of ⁠time to be match for the World Cup squad.

“We needed to provide the again a ​little relaxation to ensure it’s proper for what’s going ⁠to be an enormous remainder of the 12 months,” he stated.

“Minor setback, I must be proper to go in just a few weeks.”

Cummins will hope to guide Sunrisers Hyderabad within the Indian Premier League ⁠which begins on March 26.