Cummins has played just one international match since suffering a lumbar stress injury in his back in July. He returned for the Adelaide Test against England off a shortened preparation and bowled superbly, but was immediately withdrawn from the remainder of the series with Australia not willing to take any further risks.
Coach Andrew McDonald said Australia would name him in a 15-man squad that is due before the ICC deadline on January 2, but a decision on his availability would be determined closer to the event. Cummins has not played a T20I since the previous World Cup in the Caribbean.
“Pat will have a scan, I think in another four weeks, so that’ll give us the information then on where he’s at for the World Cup,” McDonald said. “He’ll be named in the squad of 15, and then we’ll get that information as to where he’s at.”
Hazlewood, who bowled superbly in the T20Is against India earlier this season, is likely to be fit despite missing the entire Ashes series due to hamstring and Achilles injuries.
“Josh is returning to bowl,” McDonald said. “He looks as though he should be right in terms of possible timeframes.”
“Not sure whether it’s just pure muscle or tendon, and that’ll give us a timeframe,” McDonald said. “I think the timeframe will be kind on TD as well. So he should be available no matter what that injury is.”
Australia’s first match of the World Cup is not until February 11 and their first two opponents in the group phase are Ireland and Zimbabwe. They do not face Sri Lanka until February 16 if they needed to give David more time.
The provisional squad could also change based off BBL form or other injuries before having to be locked in closer to the World Cup starting.
Australia will play three T20Is in Pakistan from late January as preparation for the tournament with the schedule meaning those involved will likely miss some or all of the BBL finals.
