Cricket Australia has rested Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, keeping in mind the busy Test calendar and the 2027 World Cup. Meanwhile, Tim David, who has been shining for RCB in IPL 2026, is not available for ODIs, but the team sees him as a future finisher. Australia head coach Andrew McDonald made a major statement regarding the decision to rest star players like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood from the upcoming limited-overs series against Pakistan and Bangladesh.

McDonald clarified that the three senior fast bowlers have not been dropped, but that the move is part of Cricket Australia’s workload management strategy. The coach also made it clear that all three pacers remain fully committed to leading Australia’s campaign in the 2027 ODI World Cup, and the decision was taken to prepare their bodies for the demanding schedule ahead. Focus on 21 Test Matches And The 2027 World Cup. The Australian team is set to play a record 21 Test matches within the next year. Considering such a busy and exhausting schedule, Cricket Australia decided to give these three bowlers a break. Responding to critics, Andrew McDonald said, “People only look at the upcoming matches and ask why they are not playing there. But if you calculate backwards from 2027 and look at our schedule ahead, this is the last major and most important break we have. We want to use this time to strengthen and invest in their bodies so they can continue playing smoothly until the 2027 World Cup.

Our plan is for all three to be with us in the 2027 World Cup.” Cummins And Hazlewood Busy In IPL 2026 Playoffs. Although these three players have been rested from the Pakistan and Bangladesh tour, they are currently part of IPL 2026 in India. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood’s teams have already reached the playoff stage, where they will fight for the title. These players are already under significant pressure, and if they move directly into international cricket after a long tournament like the IPL, it could negatively affect them.

Tim David Not Available For ODIs Apart from the players being rested, coach McDonald also shared a major update regarding Australia’s explosive T20 specialist, Tim David. The coach revealed that Tim David has not made himself available for the ODI format, but despite that, the Australian team management sees him as an excellent No. 7 finisher for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Tim David, who moved from Singapore cricket to Australian cricket, has a dangerous record in T20 internationals, although he has not received many opportunities in ODIs. David has played 57 T20Is for Australia, scoring 1,044 runs at a blistering strike rate of 174.00 and an average of 30.70. Before the 2023 World Cup, he had played only four ODIs, in which he managed just 45 runs.

Tim David’s Bat On Fire For RCB In IPL 2026 Tim David, who has made his mark in T20 leagues around the world, is currently playing for defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026 and is in outstanding form. This season, Tim David has scored 277 runs in 13 innings at an excellent average of 39.57 and a strike rate of 197, including one half-century and an unbeaten 70 as his highest score. His impactful performances have played a major role in helping RCB qualify for the playoffs, and that is why coach McDonald wants to try him as a finisher in ODIs as well.