Pat Cummins, Alex Carey and Marnus Labuschagne talk about their personal cancer stories
With a major change to how the Pink Test runs in 2025 coming, a trio of stars have shared their own personal cancer tales - explaining why this Test is so special to the Australian team.
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Pat Cummins has revealed the death of his mother from breast cancer has helped shape his decision to put the birth of his second child ahead of this month’s Test tour of Sri Lanka.
The Australian captain is set to miss at least the first, if not both Tests starting in late January, with Cummins determined to not only be there for the birth but for the sacred early week or two of his new baby’s life, which he wasn’t able to do for his first son, Albie.
As Cummins applauded the McGrath Foundation announcement that it will take its care beyond breast cancer to support people experiencing any type of cancer, the 31-year-old said it was the loss of his mother, Maria, two years ago which crystallised in his mind the importance of putting family first.
“In some ways it really makes you focus in on what I think is important. It’s family, it’s enjoyment, it’s trying to find joy in life and I think that’s been a slight shift in the way I’ve approached playing and touring and it’s just given me that real decluttering mindset,” Cummins told this masthead.
“When you go out you just want to play well and 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.
“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.”
Cummins had to race away from wife Becky and newborn Albie’s side to play in the 2021 World Cup in the UAE, but this time is planning to be around to support his family in those delicate first days of his second child’s life and it’s possible he will miss the whole tour of Sri Lanka.
“You can never plan when the baby is going to be born, so at this stage I’m probably likely to miss at least one Test maybe both of them,” Cummins said.
“Becky is due right around that first Test (starting late January) so we’ll wait and see but everyone has been really supportive. It’s a bit of a sit back and wait. I don’t know 100 per cent yet.
“With Albie it was a World Cup and we made our decision to induce Albie a week early and get on the next flight basically to not miss that World Cup. And we won which made it even better, but this time around, I would love to obviously be home for the birth but also a bit more time after the birth as well would be great.”
Fellow Australian star, Alex Carey’s family has also been impacted by cancer, with his father Gordon diagnosed with leukaemia back in 2021.
Carey’s voice thickened when asked about the privilege of playing in a Pink Test match and expressed his gratitude at the McGrath Foundation for spreading its wings from breast cancer to provide support for all types of cancer.
The fundraising target for this the 17th year of the Pink Test is to sell 350,000 virtual Pink Seats to help the one in two people in Australia diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
“To broaden it to all cancers certainly will help a lot of families around Australia. Our family’s been impacted by cancer through dad and I guess the main thing we look back on is the help that he had and the support he had through that period from the nurses and the doctors. So to broaden it will mean a lot around Australia,” Carey said.
“(Dad’s) good now. He’s on the mend thankfully. With the uncertainty of what’s to come next, I think that’s where the McGrath Foundation is so special, not just with the medical side of it but the support that not just the patient needs, but their families as well.
“You form some really amazing relationships with people around those times … and dad still speaks to a lot of those nurses and doctors that helped him in that initial period.”
Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne said the cause was also close to his heart having lost his beloved grandmother to breast cancer 15 years ago when he was a teenager.
Cummins said the Pink Test was a special week in the life of his family every year and this year will be no different.
“Even before I started playing for Australia, McGrath Day was always something really special for our family,” Cummins said.
“And now each year seeing it get more and more support is really special.
“Going to the McGrath lunch, I know Becky my wife and dad always go each year and it’s always quite a moving day.
“Mum came to quite a few Test matches and did the McGrath lunch and again day three is just a really special day.
“I know last year in particular, I was thinking about mum a lot and I’m sure it’ll be the same again this year.
“Each year you hear the stories of the incredible impact the Breast Care nurses have had on patients going through treatment but also their families. Now to have that support across other cancers as well, it’s just invaluable.
“No one can get through what is probably the biggest thing in anyone’s life by themselves, you need a team, you need a real support network, and the McGrath Foundation really does change and save lives.”
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