T20 World Cup: Big setback for Australia! Pat Cummins ruled out of first two matches

Australia are going through a major setback before the 2026 T20 World Cup as their ace fast bowler Pat Cummins has been ruled out for the first two matches of the tournament. Pat Cummins has been suffering from a lumbar bone stress injury, just like when he last had to sit out for four test matches during the Ashes series.

Despite hopes that Cummins would be fit for the World Cup, the head of the Australian selection committee, George Bailey, has come out clearly that the key bowler will only be ready after the initial stage of the World Cup, leaving Australia without one of their key players at the start of the World Cup.

“He will probably join that World Cup group a little bit later in the tournament, around game three or four”, said Bailey.

“Clearly if something moves and we’re forced to cover that, we will.”

Pat Cummins will also be missing Australia’s three match T20I series in Pakistan which is scheduled to be held from January 29 to 31. After the conclusion, the Australian side will be going to Sri Lanka where they will be playing their first T20 World Cup match against Ireland on February 11.

There are other players kike Glenn Maxwell, Josh Hazlewood, Tim David and Nathan Ellis who will be skipping the Pakistan tour and will join the World Cup squad straight. In the absence of these players, Australia have drafted Sean Abbott, Mahli Beardman, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Josh Phillippe, Mitch Owen, and Matt Renshaw into the squad.