Australia’s Big Three Pacers Aim to Reach 2027 World Cup Despite Busy Schedule

Australia’s coach Andrew McDonald is backing his three star fast bowlers to make it to the 2027 ODI World Cup, even with a very tough Test schedule coming up.

Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood are the heart of Australia’s pace attack. But they have a history of injuries. Still, McDonald believes they can stay fit for the World Cup in southern Africa, which starts in October-November next year.

Some people have asked why the three pacers are not playing in the upcoming white-ball tours of Pakistan and Bangladesh. McDonald said it is not because they don’t want to play. The team management has asked them to rest because there is a very busy Test season ahead.

Starting from mid-August, Australia will play 20 Test matches in 12 months. This includes home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, a special 150th anniversary Test at the MCG, and away tours to South Africa, India, and England.

McDonald explained that this break is very important. “This is the last significant break that we get to invest into their bodies,” he said. He added, “We are planning for them to be there in 2027.”

It will not be easy. By the time the 2027 World Cup starts, Starc will be close to 38 years old. Hazlewood will be nearly 37, and Cummins will be 34. All three are currently in good form in the IPL and will play in the playoffs.

Once the IPL ends, they will use June and July to prepare for the busiest time of their careers.

In another move, Australia has appointed former wicketkeeper Matthew Wade as a full-time assistant coach for the white-ball teams. This shows they are serious about defending their ODI World Cup title.

Australia also hopes to bring big-hitting batter Tim David into the ODI setup for the World Cup.

McDonald said people should not think the players are picking and choosing which matches to play. “These decisions are made around the management of what is coming up in the schedule,” he said. “Those players want to play.”

He asked for trust in the team’s planning. “It’s going to be a significant challenge… (the medical team) have done a great job,” he added.

                                               

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