Australia have backed their star pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood to be fit and firing for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Moreover, head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed the three pacers will skip the upcoming white ball tours of Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Each series from now on serves as a clear build-up to the marquee tournament in South Africa. Additionally, all three were open to featuring in both series but accepted the rest call. The 2027 ODI World Cup is scheduled across October and November in South Africa. Therefore, the next 18 months will revolve around managing the trio’s workload smartly.
Why Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood Have Been Rested
The three pacers have been managed with a long-term lens given Australia’s Test-heavy schedule ahead. Notably, all three are in the back half of their careers, with Starc at 36, Hazlewood at 35 and Cummins at 33. Furthermore, the IPL 2026 season exposed concerns for each of them in different ways.
Cummins took time to recover from a back stress injury that surprised the Australian camp. Meanwhile, Hazlewood battled hamstring and Achilles injuries during the IPL window. As a result, the management has decided to invest in their bodies during this rare break before the next tournament cycle.
Andrew McDonald Backs Pat Cummins-Mitch Marsh Leadership Setup
Mitch Marsh has been leading Australia in Cummins’s absence across multiple white ball assignments. However, McDonald confirmed that Marsh will step aside once Cummins returns to the ODI setup. Furthermore, the head coach revealed that Cummins and Marsh share a strong working relationship behind the scenes.
As a result, Marsh continues to be backed as the long-term white ball deputy. Consequently, the support structure also gives Australia a backup leadership plan if Cummins fails to make the 2027 World Cup. McDonald also pushed back on the idea that players were picking and choosing series, calling it a misconception.
Tim David Door Stays Open for an Australia ODI Return
Australia have left the door open for Tim David to return to the ODI setup ahead of the 2027 World Cup. The 30-year-old last featured in the format in September 2023. Additionally, those four ODIs remain his only List A appearances to date. Glenn Maxwell’s retirement from ODIs in 2025 has potentially opened a finisher’s role in the side.
Therefore, David could fit into that number seven slot if he signals his availability. McDonald said the conversation remains open but the move must start from David himself. In contrast, Cameron Green is the other in-house option being considered for the finisher’s role.
Cameron Green’s Flexibility a Key Asset Heading to 2027
Cameron Green offers Australia genuine flexibility across batting positions and bowling roles. Notably, his maiden ODI hundred came in the top order, but McDonald sees him as a strong lower-order option too. Furthermore, Green showed his finishing power during last year’s Top End series against South Africa.
As a result, the management views him as one of the leading candidates to fill the Maxwell-shaped gap. Meanwhile, his bowling adds a key fifth bowler option, which is often an exposure point for many ODI sides. Subsequently, Green’s all-round value will be central to Australia’s build-up across the next 18 months.
