T20 World Cup: Cummins says Hazlewood may miss half the event
Hazlewood, arguably the team’s most important bowler, struggled with hamstring and Achilles injuries and missed the entire five-Test Ashes series against England.
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said in mid-January that Hazlewood was on track to be ready for the team’s World Cup opener against Ireland on February 11, but Cummins’ update was less optimistic.
Cummins told Australian broadcaster Nine Network: “I spoke to Joshy a few days ago and he’s been working hard. I feel really bad for Joshy, he’s had a few setbacks, (he’s) one of the toughest coaches out there.”
“He’s doing everything he can. I don’t think he’ll be there at the ‘start’ of the tournament, but he’s doing his best to be there at the halfway point.”
With Mitchell Starc withdrawn from the format and Cummins sidelined with back problems, Australia head into the February 7-March 8 World Cup understaffed and in poor form after a 111-run humiliation of Pakistan, which wrapped up the series 3-0.
Cummins said it did not help that the players arrived late in Pakistan after the domestic Big Bash League. “It wasn’t the series we were hoping for,” he said.
“It’s always better to win, but they get over it very quickly.”
Cummins, who played just one test of the Ashes due to spinal stress, said he was out of time to qualify for the World Cup squad.
“We wanted to give the back end a little rest to make sure it was right for the big rest of the year,” he said.
“Just a minor setback, I can be on my way in a few weeks.”
Cummins will hope to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League, which starts on March 26.
