Pat Cummins Forced to Withdraw from T20 World Cup Due to Recurring Back Injury
In a significant blow to Australia's T20 World Cup campaign, star pacer Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the tournament scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka this month. The 32-year-old fast bowler, a veteran of three T20 World Cups, has withdrawn from the squad due to a persistent back injury, with Ben Dwarshuis named as his replacement.
Injury Setback Derails Cummins' World Cup Plans
Cummins, who made his T20 World Cup debut in the 2012 edition in Sri Lanka, had been carefully managing his workload with the tournament in mind. He featured in the Adelaide Test during the 2025–26 Ashes series against England and was rested for the final two Tests to ensure his fitness for the T20 World Cup. However, a recent scan revealed ongoing issues with his back, requiring an additional four weeks of recovery time.
Expressing his frustration, Cummins stated, "It's annoying. I was very keen to play, and when we mapped out a plan for the Ashes and beyond, these T20s were a big part of it. But the scan shows a bit going on, and it needs four more weeks to settle down." This setback comes at a crucial time, as Cummins was expected to lead Australia's pace attack in the absence of Mitchell Starc, who has retired from T20Is, and Josh Hazlewood, who is battling a hamstring injury.
Cummins' Career and Impact on Australian Cricket
With 57 T20 Internationals, 90 ODIs, and 72 Tests to his name, Cummins has been a cornerstone of Australia's bowling attack across formats. He played a pivotal role in Australia's title-winning campaign at the 2021 T20 World Cup, taking five wickets during the tournament. His experience and skill would have been invaluable in the challenging conditions of India and Sri Lanka.
The decision to withdraw was made after consultations with medical staff and coaches, highlighting the importance of managing player health in a packed cricketing calendar. Cummins emphasized, "You can't play everything. Even us older players, who used to take a lot of convincing, recognise that we need periods each year to build or rebuild strength."
Strategic Rest and Future Commitments
Cummins' withdrawal is part of a broader strategy to prioritize his long-term fitness and availability for key series. He explained that regular rest periods allow players to extend their careers rather than risk burnout or serious injury. "Resting from a game or a series here or there means I can prioritise Tests. In the long run, it means players get to play more cricket rather than playing until we break," he added.
Looking ahead, Cummins faces a demanding schedule that includes:
- An ODI and Test series in South Africa later this year
- The five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India
- A pink-ball 150th anniversary Test against England
- An Ashes series in England
- The ODI World Cup
- A potential World Test Championship final next year
Emotional Return to South Africa on the Horizon
This year also marks Australia's first Test and ODI tour of South Africa since the controversial sandpaper series in 2018. Cummins acknowledged the emotional significance of the visit, stating, "They (South Africa) are the world No. 2 and just beat us in the 2025 World Test Championship, so it's going to be huge. South Africa is all about hard wickets, fast bowlers, and brutal crowds."
He added, "After the 2018 tour, there'll be emotion for sure, but we're an experienced side and we tend to play best when we're relaxed, so we don't need to go looking for fights." This mature approach reflects Cummins' growth as a player and leader, emphasizing focus and composure over confrontation.
As Australia prepares for the T20 World Cup without one of their key pacers, the team will rely on replacements like Ben Dwarshuis to step up. Meanwhile, Cummins' absence underscores the ongoing challenges of managing player workloads in modern cricket, where balancing immediate tournaments with long-term career sustainability is paramount.
