His remarks come after reports suggested that several senior Australian players were dissatisfied with Cricket Australia’s initial central contract offers earlier this month. Despite the speculation, Cummins made it clear that his focus remains firmly on international cricket, particularly the Test format.
“Nothing has changed for me, my priority is Australian cricket, No. 1, particularly Test cricket. As Test captain, I never want to miss any Test cricket and make myself available for as many Aussie games as I can,” Cummins said at the New Balance Grey Days 2026 event, via ESPNcricinfo.
He also addressed his participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he represents Sunrisers Hyderabad, noting that the tournament’s scheduling during Australia’s off-season makes it manageable alongside international commitments.
“The IPL is good in that it normally fits in our holiday break… they are probably my main focuses and I don’t see that changing in the next few years,” he added.
Cummins is expected to miss upcoming white-ball series in Bangladesh and Pakistan, but remains central to Australia’s long-term Test plans. The team faces a packed schedule ahead of the 2027 IPL, including 10 Test matches between December and March, a five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India, and the Ashes series in England.
The Australian skipper also provided an encouraging update on his fitness following past back injury concerns, saying he feels fully recovered and ready for a demanding season.
“Physically, I feel great. My back’s fully healed, really strong. We took a very low-risk approach to the rehab to give myself the best chance to play all those Test matches,” he said.
Following the IPL, Australia’s first Test assignment will be against Bangladesh on home soil, starting from 13 August.
