Tim David remains pencilled in for next month’s T20 World Cup, despite what Australia’s selectors describe as a “very minor setback” to his recovering hamstring. Chair of selectors George Bailey confirmed the big hitter should still be available for the opening fixture, while plans are firming for Pat Cummins to link up with the squad a little later in the tournament.
David, Cummins and Josh Hazlewood headline a group of five World Cup-bound players who will sit out the three-match T20 series in Lahore, starting 29 January, alongside Glenn Maxwell and Nathan Ellis. Their absence opens the door for 20-year-old quick Mahli Beardman and Sydney Sixers all-rounder Jack Edwards, both uncapped at senior level.
Hazlewood, overcoming hamstring and Achilles problems that ruled him out of the entire Ashes campaign, told ESPNcricinfo last week he is targeting the pre-tournament warm-up in Sri Lanka for his comeback. The selectors sound equally upbeat about David.
“TD [David] had a very minor setback, I think last week, so didn’t quite get through a running session that he was hoping to, but has since been cleared of any damage,” Bailey said. “It was just, I think, on the back of a heavy week. So he’s still tracking for the start of the tournament. Josh is in the same boat and Pat’s a little bit different … he’ll probably join that World Cup group a little bit later in the tournament, around game three or four.”
The desire to give Cummins extra time after the lumbar stress injury that limited him to one Ashes Test was flagged earlier this month. “If we can, absolutely, that’s the plan,” Bailey reiterated on Monday. “Clearly, if something moves and we’re forced to cover that, we will, but, yes, hopefully all things being equal, that’ll be how that one plays out.”
Beardman has collected eight wickets at 30.25 for Perth Scorchers in the BBL, while Edwards’ off-cutters and cutters have returned 15 wickets at 18.33 for the Sixers. Both have previously trained with national squads but could now make their debuts in Lahore.
Ten members of Australia’s confirmed World Cup party will be on the Pakistan trip. To cover for those likely to arrive late from the BBL final, the selectors have expanded the squad to 17, adding Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe and Matt Renshaw alongside the two newcomers. Abbott and Dwarshuis remain in contention to travel to Sri Lanka as reserve bowlers should the need arise.
“The series is a great opportunity for those on the brink of selection and some young players we rate highly for valuable experience with the World Cup group in Pakistan,” Bailey said. “Some are already experienced international players along with Mahli Beardman who has been with the group a number of times and Jack Edwards who joined for the last one-day match against India in Sydney last year.”
Australia’s first World Cup fixture is on 11 February in Colombo against Ireland. Players involved in the closing stages of the BBL will fly out once domestic commitments finish, ensuring the full squad should be together by the start of the global tournament.
