Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has described captain Pat Cummins' participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup as "quite grey at the moment," citing an ongoing back stress issue that has already limited his involvement in the current Ashes series against England. The fast bowler, who missed the first two tests due to the injury, made a carefully managed return in the third test at Adelaide Oval, where he claimed six wickets to help Australia secure a 3-0 series win. However, he will take no further part in the remaining matches of the series, and his availability for the T20 World Cup, scheduled from February 7 to March 8, 2026, in India and Sri Lanka, remains uncertain.

The lumbar stress reaction was first diagnosed during Australia's tour of the West Indies in July 2025. After a period of rehabilitation, Cummins was cleared for a controlled comeback in Adelaide, but the decision to exclude him from the rest of the Ashes was made to avoid any long-term risk to his fitness. McDonald explained that the team accepted a calculated risk for his return in the third Test, with the primary goal of clinching the series now achieved. "He's pulled up fine," McDonald said, adding that further exposure to risk would not be justified given the successful outcome of the Ashes campaign.

Cummins, who leads Australia in Test and ODI cricket, is not the T20I captain—that role belongs to all-rounder Mitchell Marsh. The head coach expressed cautious optimism about Cummins' recovery, stating, "We're hopeful," but emphasized that no firm decision has been made regarding his involvement in the T20 World Cup. Australia is set to open their campaign on February 11, 2026, against Ireland in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and will be keen to have their premier fast bowler available for the tournament's high-intensity demands.

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The uncertainty surrounding Cummins comes at a time when Australia is looking to defend their T20 World Cup title from 2024 and maintain their dominance in the shortest format. His absence would represent a significant blow to the team's bowling attack, given his experience, leadership, and ability to perform under pressure. Cricket Australia and the selectors will closely monitor his rehabilitation in the coming weeks, with the team's preparations for the February event already underway. McDonald reiterated that Cummins is fully comfortable with the current plan to prioritize his long-term health over short-term participation.

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