Hazlewood set to miss first half of T20 World Cup

Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is unlikely to be involved in the first half of the T20 World Cup as he continues his recovery from injury.

The 35-year-old has not played since mid-November, missing the start of the Ashes against England with a hamstring strain and then suffering an Achilles injury during his rehabilitation that meant he played no part in the series.

Head coach Andrew McDonald said in December following the provisional squad announcement and again last month that Hazlewood was on track to be fit for the start of the tournament.

However, team-mate Pat Cummins, who was ruled out of the T20 World Cup with a back injury last week, does not expect Hazlewood to feature until midway through the tournament.

Bowling all-rounder Sean Abbott has been added to the squad as a travelling reserve.

Australia's first match is against Ireland on 11 February with the Super 8s scheduled to begin on 21 February.

"I caught up with Josh a couple of days ago and he's working so hard. I really feel for him - he's had a few setbacks," Cummins told Australian broadcaster Nine Network.

"He's doing everything he can. I don't think he will be there for the start of the tournament, but he's trying his best to be there about halfway through."

Fellow squad members Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Ellis and Tim David, who missed Australia's recent tour of Pakistan, are set to join the team in Sri Lanka this week before a warm-up match against the Netherlands on Thursday.

Hazlewood, however, is remaining in Sydney, with selector Tony Dodemaide saying it is "more practical and beneficial for him to continue his rehabilitation at home".

Hazlewood has taken 79 wickets with an economy of 7.47 in 60 T20s for Australia, including figures of 3-16 in their 2021 T20 World Cup final victory over New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Cummins has said he has suffered a "minor setback" in his recovery from lumbar bone stress in his lower back.

The injury first flared up on Australia's Test tour of West Indies in July and restricted him to one appearance during the Ashes.

Cummins, who has been replaced in the T20 World Cup squad by Ben Dwarshuis, hopes to return to action for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League, which begins on 26 March.

"We wanted to give the back a little rest to make sure it's right for what's going to be a big rest of the year - I should be right to go in a few weeks," Cummins said.