Australia captain Pat Cummins is taking a measured approach to his cricketing calendar, choosing long-term fitness over short-term intensity as he sets his sights firmly on the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. After returning from a back injury to play a decisive role in Australia sealing the Ashes at Adelaide, Cummins has signalled a temporary pause to manage his workload.
The fast-bowling spearhead missed the first two Ashes Tests due to injury but made a timely comeback in the third Test, picking up three wickets across both innings and helping Australia clinch the series. With the urn safely retained, Cummins has opted to “cool his heels a little bit,” prioritizing recovery ahead of the global T20 showpiece starting on February 7.
Calculated recuperation following a risky return
In a video released by 7Cricket prior to the fourth Ashes Test, Cummins gave an explanation of his reasoning. He acknowledged that playing consecutive Test matches after recovering from a back issue was risky. For the ICC T20 World Cup, which India and Sri Lanka will co-host, the current strategy is to be healthy and fit.
Under Mitchell Marsh’s direction, Cummins will compete in the T20 tournament as Australia looks to gain momentum in Group B against Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman. The Australians’ campaign against Ireland gets underway in Colombo on February 11.
Return timed to perfection
Cummins’ comeback at Adelaide marked the culmination of an aggressive rehabilitation programme. Following the West Indies Test series in July, the pacer skipped white-ball series against South Africa and India to focus on recovery—an approach that paid off handsomely when he returned to seal the Ashes.
Despite being a central figure in Australia’s red-ball success, Cummins has not played a T20 international since the previous T20 World Cup held in the West Indies and the USA. His return to the shortest format is eagerly anticipated, not only by the national side but also by Sunrisers Hyderabad, whom he captains in the Indian Premier League.
Injury-hit year, elite impact
Injuries limited Cummins to just six international matches in 2025—all in Tests—but his impact remained exceptional. He finished the year with 26 wickets at a remarkable average of 16.53, including career-best figures of 6/28. Earlier, during the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he emerged as the second-highest wicket-taker with 25 scalps, bowling a series-high 167 overs.
While he missed tours to Sri Lanka and the ICC Champions Trophy, Cummins returned for the ICC World Test Championship final against South Africa and the West Indies tour, reinforcing his value in crucial moments.
Focus shifts as Ashes move on
As England opted to bowl first in the ongoing Test, Josh Tongue’s five-wicket haul bundled Australia out for 152 in the first innings—yet the spotlight remains firmly on Cummins’ bigger picture. With workload management becoming central to modern cricket, Australia’s captain appears determined to peak when it matters most.