Australia have successfully joined South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. This means they will not have to rely on the one-off Test match versus Sri Lanka, which was added late into the WTC schedule. This also means that the senior players who have already put in the hard yards can opt to miss the series, or as Pat Cummins said, to go ‘back as full-time Dad and husband’. He is also expecting his second child around the same time as the Sri Lanka tour, which makes it more likely for him to rest.
“In terms of Sri Lanka, we’ll wait and see,” Cummins said. “Becky’s [Pat Cummin’s wife] hanging on at the moment, so we’ll play it by ear. But most likely, I might struggle to get over there.”
“They (the partners) do sacrifice a lot … so sharing moments like today with them makes it extra special …. going back to being a full-time Dad and husband (and do) an even better enjoy than being a Test captain. I love it and feel really lucky.”
He also previously said he plans on prioritizing his family since for him the main thing about playing cricket is just enjoying himself while he is there.
“When you go out you just want to play well.” Cummins said before the fifth Test of the BGT. “Of course, there’s going to be pressure, but you don’t want to forget that what mum and dad used to say to us every time we went and played as kids, was to go and enjoy it. Try your best, but make sure you enjoy it. I try and remind myself of that every time I go on a tour or play.”
The reason why Cummins has performed the way he has for the past few years is because he is trying to make the most of the time spent away from his family, so he says.
“Whatever you choose to do there’s always an opportunity cost. And I think in the last few years that’s probably rung true. That is when you go away on a tour you are missing out on maybe family time or moments. That’s a deliberate choice so make sure you are making the most of that tour or that game if that makes sense.”
But that is going to be just a break for Cummins. Though the Australian skipper has plenty of silverware in his trophy trove, he thinks he is not done yet. He currently holds all major trophies except the T20 World Cup.
“First of all, I absolutely love what I do. That’s the biggest driver in wanting to play Test cricket and work with this team and support staff,” Cummins responded when asked if he had completed cricket. “I absolutely love everything about it; it’s that much fun. If I can keep doing it for a while, even better.”
There have been talks about what will happen to the team when Cummins and co. eventually decide to leave the game. But that is also the least of his worries right now. According to him, the team sits at the right balance between experienced and young players.
“You always talk about [succession]. We have two vice-captains in the team. We have had three debutants in this series,” Cummins believes transition will not be very difficult for the team, whenever it happens. “You’re always balancing between the here and now, but have a bit of an eye towards the future. They are conversations we always have, but I don’t think there is any point in doing things for the sake of it. Those can play out over the next few years.”
Steve Smith will fill in for him as a captain on the Sri Lankan tour. Following the lifting of his captaincy ban, Smith has acted as the stand-in captain in four Test matches, the most recent was in March 2023 versus India.
