Australia captain Pat Cummins to skip South Africa white-ball series to prioritize Ashes build-up

Already rested for the T20Is against the West Indies, Cummins now extends his break to prepare for a return in the October T20I tour to New Zealand and possible ODIs against India. A Sheffield Shield appearance for New South Wales is also on the cards-something he skipped last season.

"I'll have a solid six-week training block-mostly gym work, not much bowling," Cummins said at Sabina Park. "The body's feeling good, but it's about fine-tuning ahead of the summer."

Cummins remains Australia's ODI captain but has barely featured in the format since lifting the World Cup last year, missing the Champions Trophy due to an ankle injury.

Josh Hazlewood will also miss the South Africa series, with Xavier Bartlett replacing him. Hazlewood will, however, feature in the Top End tour in August, which includes three T20Is and three ODIs.

Bartlett, fresh off a standout MLC campaign with San Francisco Unicorns, brings a strong T20I record (11 wickets at 14.72). He'll be joined by Jake Fraser-McGurk, who replaces the injured Spencer Johnson (back soreness). Fraser-McGurk has shown flashes of promise but struggled for consistency in the IPL and BBL.

With the Ashes on the horizon, early-season domestic performances will be under scrutiny. Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja have two more West Indies Test innings to stake their claim, while Cameron Green aims to build on his Grenada half-century. Green is also expected to face South Africa before resuming bowling duties.

"The summer still feels far off," Cummins said, "but strong Test performances now always help your case."

Australia's T20I series against West Indies kicks off July 20 at Sabina Park, with the final three matches in St Kitts.