Pace duo set to return for Australia’s T20 World Cup squad

The experienced duo of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are set to be included in Australia’s provisional squad for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup despite injury concerns.

Cummins, who returned for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide before being subsequently ruled out of the remainder of the series as a precaution, will undergo another scan on his back in four weeks’ time.

A final call on his availability for the tournament that commences on February 7 will be made after the results of that assessment.

"Pat will have a scan, I think in another four weeks, so that'll give us the information then on where he's at for the (T20) World Cup," said head coach Andrew McDonald.

"He'll be named in the squad of 15, and then we'll get that information as to where he's at."

Josh Hazlewood has missed the entire Ashes series due to hamstring and Achilles injuries that have troubled the 34-year-old pacer.

Before his injury, the pacer starred in the white-ball series against India and looks likely to return in time for the T20 World Cup, giving a major boost to Australia.

"Josh is returning to bowl. He looks as though he should be right in terms of possible timeframes." McDonald said.

Another concern for Australia is hard-hitting middle-order batter Tim David, who recently injured his hamstring while playing in the BBL for the Hobart Hurricanes.

The finisher had been ruled out for two months earlier this year with a similar injury, but McDonald believes the 29-year-old will be fit in time for the marquee 20-over tournament.

"Not sure whether it's just pure muscle or tendon, and that'll give us a timeframe. I think the timeframe will be kind on TD (Tim David) as well. So he should be available no matter what that injury is." said Mcdonald before a scan revealed a grade-two right hamstring strain that ruled David out for the remainder of the BBL, though he remains on track with his rehabilitation to be fit in time for the T20 World Cup.

Australia will commence their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on February 11. As part of their preparations, they will play a three-match T20I series in Pakistan in January.