Australia has named a provisional 15-player squad for the men's Twenty20 World Cup, including pace duo Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, and big-hitting Tim David, despite ongoing injury concerns.
Cummins is recovering from a back injury that limited him to the third Test of the Ashes, while Hazlewood missed the entire Ashes series due to a hamstring strain. David also sustained a hamstring injury while playing for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League.
Selectors chair George Bailey expressed confidence in their recovery, stating, 'Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Tim David are tracking well and we are confident they will be available for the World Cup.' He added that this is a preliminary squad and changes can be made if needed.
Mitchell Marsh will continue as captain, with Cameron Green and Cooper Connolly returning after missing the T20s against India earlier in the summer. A separate squad will be named for three T20s against Pakistan just before the tournament.
Australia will be based in Sri Lanka for the group stage, starting their campaign against Ireland in Colombo on February 11, followed by matches against Zimbabwe, co-hosts Sri Lanka, and Oman.
