“And I think we spend a lot of time losing sight of that important perspective. It’s just terrific that someone of Pat Cummins’ standing is showing to the country the importance of family and friends. I think that’s exactly what a leader does. He or she points to what’s important.”
It had been a long road of more than a yearsince Maria’s breast cancer returned. One of the most joyful moments in that time was her presence at Cummins’ wedding to his long-term partner Becky last year in Byron Bay.
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Numerous decisions over the past year had been made by Cummins,his management and the selectors with Maria’s declining health in mind. One was for Cummins to miss this year’s Indian Premier League,affording precious time at home amid a year including an India tour,an England tour and an ODI World Cup.
Cummins had always planned to go home for a few days to spend time with Maria between the second and third Tests of the India series.
But after arriving in India,Cummins was informed of Maria’s move into palliative care between the Nagpur and Delhi Tests,and was given the option of returning home immediately. Instead,Cummins chose to lead the team in Delhi,before flying out as previously planned.
Cummins’ fellow players have been unanimously supportive over the past three weeks. Mitchell Starc,who lost his father,Paul,to cancer during the 2020-21 season while playing for Australia in a biosecurity bubble,spoke with more empathy than most.
“Having been through a similar situation recently,it’s a hard place to be,” Starc said. “Trying to get your head around playing international cricket and for him to captain at the same time when your mind might be back home or with your family.
“We’re sons,partners,fathers first,people first,and cricketers second. He’s got the complete support of the group. It’s been tough to see him go through it from afar,so nice for him to get the opportunity to go home,be around the family,support the rest of his family and to go through that while not being overseas at the same time.”
In Cummins’ absence,the Australians have performed admirably to win the Indore Test and take up a strong early position in Ahmedabad. Stand-in captain Steve Smith made special mention of Cummins after Indore.
“It’s Pat’s team now,” Smith said. “I’ve obviously been able to stand in this week,obviously in tough circumstances with Patty going home. Our thoughts are still with him back home as well.”
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