Andrew McDonald: Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood still in Australia's plans for 2027 World Cup

Starc is nearing 38, Hazlewood 37, and Cummins 34 by the time the tournament gets underway.

The fast-bowling trio have been omitted from ODI squads for upcoming white-ball tours of Pakistan and Bangladesh, and none will feature in June's ODI series after the IPL concludes, while Cummins and Hazlewood will also miss the T20I series against Bangladesh.

All three missed the first half of the ongoing IPL due to separate injury concerns, with Cummins and Hazlewood expected to return for the playoffs, which clash with the start of the Pakistan tour.

McDonald stressed the decisions are driven by long-term workload management and injury prevention, insisting there is a misconception that players are selectively skipping series and urging investment in managing fast bowlers' bodies to ensure availability for 2027.

"I think people look at the immediate games and go, 'Well, why aren't they playing there?' But if you actually work back from 2027 and look at what we've got coming up, this is the last significant break that we get to invest into their bodies to set themselves up to get all the way through to 2027. We are planning for them to be there in 2027," said McDonald.

"I think there's almost a misconception that the players are sort of picking and choosing as to where they play and which series they play in.

"These decisions are made around the management of what is coming up with in the schedule - and they don't choose that. We work with them on it... those players want to play. We just don't feel like it's the best time for them to play."