Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Pace duo Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have been named in Australia’s provisional 15-player squad for the T20 World Cup despite injury concerns. Cummins has played just one international match since suffering a lumbar stress injury in July, when he featured in the Ashes-securing third Ashes Test in Adelaide. A scan on Pacer’s back later this month will determine whether he will be right for the tournament.
Hazlewood missed the entire Ashes series due to hamstring and Achilles injuries. David, meanwhile, injured his hamstring while playing for the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL. “The T20 side has enjoyed a long run of recent success which enabled the panel to choose a balance of players across the variety of conditions Sri Lanka and India may present,” chief selector George Bailey said.
“Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Tim David are tracking well, and we are confident they will be available for the World Cup. This is a preliminary squad, so should changes need to be made, they will be ahead of the support period,” he added.
Mitchell Marsh captains the group as Australia named a spin-heavy group, with Adam Zampa joined by Matthew Kuhnemann, Cooper Connolly and all-rounders Glenn Maxwell and Matthew Short. Mitchell Owen is the most notable omission from the 15-man squad. Green and Connolly are back in the squad after missing the T20s against India earlier in the summer.
