Australia are planning carefully around their pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood as they target both a demanding Test cycle and defence of their ODI World Cup title in southern Africa next year. Coach Andrew McDonald said the three fast bowlers are not being rested because they want to skip Pakistan and Bangladesh white-ball tours, but because selectors and support staff believe the bigger priority is keeping them fit for a packed 12-month period of Test cricket.
Australia’s schedule from mid-August will include 20 Tests, or 21 if they reach the World Test Championship final, along with home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, the 150th anniversary Test at the MCG, and tours of South Africa, India and England. McDonald said the team’s high-performance unit is focused on getting its best fast bowlers through that stretch and into the 2027 ODI World Cup campaign in strong condition.
The challenge is significant. Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood are all approaching the latter stages of their careers, while all three have also dealt with fitness setbacks in recent times. Starc recently managed shoulder and elbow issues, Hazlewood has been limited by hamstring and Achilles problems, and Cummins missed much of Australia’s recent home summer because of a back stress injury. Australia’s experienced Test backups, Michael Neser and Scott Boland, are also in their mid-to-late 30s, while Nathan Lyon is still recovering from injury and is now 38.
McDonald said there is a misconception that senior players are choosing where to play. He stressed the decisions are driven by workload management and the demands of the international calendar. The coach pointed to the importance of using the current break to invest in the bowlers’ bodies so they can remain available through the next major cycle.
Despite the focus on Test cricket, Australia have not lost sight of the ODI World Cup. The national setup has recently added Matthew Wade as a full-time assistant coach with the white-ball teams, a move that signals the tournament is a serious priority. Australia want Cummins to continue as ODI captain after he led them to the 2023 World Cup title, although Mitch Marsh is leading the side in the meantime because of Cummins’ injury absence.
McDonald also left open the possibility of Tim David returning to the ODI side. David has become a key T20 player for Australia but has not made himself available for one-day internationals so far. With Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis no longer in the ODI finishing role, Australia are interested in David as a potential option at No. 7, though McDonald said he would need to signal his availability and play some bilateral ODI cricket before the World Cup to be considered.
For now, Australia’s immediate focus is on managing workload, protecting their fast-bowling stocks and keeping their most experienced players available for the major tests ahead.
