Australian Test captain: Pat Cummins speaks on juggling parenthood and captaincy

As Pat Cummins learned within minutes of being told he was Australia’s new captain, one responsibility will always outweigh his new role.

Even before he was made Test captain, Pat Cummins was already leaning on his senior players for important guidance.

Cummins, the new father, was taking his seven-week old son Albie on a walk in a desperate attempt to make him stop crying when he spotted father of three David Warner coming around the corner of the team hotel on the Gold Coast.

“I passed him straight to Davey and Davey had him napping asleep in about 10 seconds,” said Cummins.

It was a subtle fusion between his new on-field and off-field responsibilities and how he needs to be comfortable asking quiet – and sometimes unexpected – favours of those around him to navigate life as a fast bowling Test skipper.

Captaincy and cradles are big enough challenges at any time in a young cricketer’s life, but try Cummins who is now juggling both jobs inside two months.

It’s a watershed period in the 28-year-old’s life, but the pain of walking out the front door of his new family home when Albie was just three days old to head to the World Cup in Dubai was tougher than anything he’s likely to face this Ashes summer as a leader of men.

Our gorgeous boy Albie Boston Cummins. Beyond besotted. pic.twitter.com/by78kacJH6

— Pat Cummins (@patcummins30) October 12, 2021

“It was pretty tough. Once I got on the flight I was OK, but leaving the house it was really tough,” said Cummins.

“He was three days old and you’ve got a newborn child that needs you and you hop on a flight to go.

“Becky (fiancé) was great and I was lucky I had the previous few months at home.”

But it’s all worked out for the best.

“In the end it was only three or so weeks apart and winning the World Cup and now being able to see them here in quarantine on the Gold Coast … it was certainly worth it,” he said.

“Luckily we have facetime so I got to chat to him a few times each day and see loads of photos and videos.

“Even when I saw him in week five (of his life), he’d got a bit bigger and stronger but he was still very much a newborn.”

Becky Boston after she announced via Instagram that her and her partner Pat Cummins were expecting.

Pat Cummins and fiance Becky Boston arrive at the Australian Cricket Awards.

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When Cummins received the call from Cricket Australia to say he was the 47th Test captain, he couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as he shared the news.

“Mum and dad were super excited. There was a few tears. I feel really lucky,” said Cummins.

Although life as a new father means your time in the sun is relatively short.

“Becky was impressed for about two minutes and then it was back to keeping our baby alive,” joked Cummins.

“It’s a really special time. Everyone’s happy and proud and I’m really lucky with how it’s all landed.”

Partner Becky and baby Albie will stay with Cummins for at least part of the summer, a big boost in helping him find balance in the toughest job an Australian captain has faced in 65 years.

“We’ll work out what’s best. We always do Christmas down in Melbourne and they’re up here for at least leading into the first Test,” said Cummins.

Becky Boston, fiancee of Australian captain Pat Cummins and Dani Willis, Steve Smith’s wife.. Picture: Tim Hunter.

CUMMINS REVEALS: WHY CAPTAINCY WON’T BE A BURDEN

Pat Cummins has vowed never to rest as Australian Test skipper and to revolutionise on-field leadership as “captain collaborative.”

Australia’s first fast bowling captain in 65 years and first regular bowling captain since Richie Benaud put all his cards on the table on his first day in charge and made it clear he is “not perfect” but isn’t daunted by the blazing public scrutiny that has brought down his two predecessors.

Cummins’ has outlined a clear vision for how he can rewrite history and make captaincy work as a fast bowler, committing to a daring plan to collaborate with his vice-captain out in the middle — where Steve Smith will have his complete blessing to set fields and enact bowling changes at certain times during a day’s play.

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Pat Cummins is committed to a daring plan where his deputy Steve Smith will have his blessings to set fields.

However, the assumption from critics that Cummins will be forced to miss matches as a ‘quick captain’ has been shot down by the 28-year-old who has promised never to rest from Test cricket while at the helm.

“I’ve never rested from a game of Test cricket and I doubt if I’ll start now,” Cummins said.

“In terms of other formats, we’ll cross that bridge when we have to.

“I’m really campaign focused, that’s how I think about my bowling as much as anything else. I’ll put everything into these five (Ashes) Test matches and go from there.”

Cummins said he didn’t see himself as someone who would captain until their cricketing retirement, and envisages a time when he can hand the reins back over and play out the final years of his career as a foot soldier.

This clear thinking from a man barely hours into taking on the second highest office in Australia to the Prime Minister should surprise no one.

A specially convened Cricket Australia panel featuring selectors and board members were wowed by the blueprint presented by Cummins, particularly because he already had Smith on board almost as a joint ticket before the interview process took place.

The newly appointed Australian Test captain and his newly appointed deputy during the official announcement of their new positions.

The maturity of Cummins and Smith to realise their leadership aspirations would both be stronger if they combined their powers is a good sign for their leadership partnership clicking.

Former Test captain Michael Clarke warned Smith earlier this week that there could only be one captain on the field, but Cummins has broken down that barrier by essentially declaring that at his own instigation and instance, this will be a vice-captaincy role like never before in Test cricket.

“One of the big reasons why there’s been talk around fast bowlers not being able to captain in the past is just the workload issue,” Cummins said.

“There’s going to be times when I’m out in the middle, it’s a hot day, I’m in the middle of a spell and I need to turn to people for advice, for tactics and for experience.

“How that looks? I think it potentially could look differently to what you’ve seen partnerships work like in the past.

“There will be times on the field where I’ll throw to Steve and you’ll see Steve move fielders around, maybe do bowling changes and take a bit more of an elevated vice-captaincy role.

“And that’s what I really want. That’s what I’ve asked and I’m really glad Steve is happy with that as well.

Pat Cummins is adamant the joint arrangement can work despite those having their reservations, including former captain Michael Clarke.

“We’ll nut out exactly how that works, but it’s going to be a real collaborative approach.

“It might look a bit different from the outside to other captains in the past, and that’s great.”

After witnessing first hand the public humiliations of firstly Smith and in the last week Tim Paine — in vastly different circumstances — Cummins admits he’s uncomfortable at being held up as some sort of golden boy.

But he won’t shy away from the high expectations Cricket Australia has unapologetically placed on the role.

“I’m not overly comfortable (as a poster boy). And I think that’s really hit home in the last few days seeing Tim. I think a lot of the pressure and the responsibility of being perfect is unreasonable,” said Cummins.

“When it comes to the moral character, I’m probably my own harshest critic and judge on that.

“ … That doesn’t worry me too much. I know the role comes with added scrutiny but for 10 or 11 years I’ve been playing for Australia in the public eye.

“I won’t always get things right. I’m certainly not perfect. There’s going to be things that pop up, but as long as I can sleep at night I’m really comfortable with the responsibility of that.”

Smith expects ‘negativity’ around leadership return

Pat Cummins has been unveiled as Australia’s 47th Test captain today, with Steve Smith appointed as his deputy.

It’s a historic day for Australian cricket, with Cummins to be the first fast bowling skipper the country has seen since Ray Lindwall did it in a one-off Test in 1956.

Cummins and Steve Smith were at unbackable odds to be unveiled as Australia’s new leadership combination with an announcement expected later on Friday.

It’s understood the board met and made its decision at a meeting on Thursday night, with candidates notified.

Pat Cummins has been named Australian Test captain. Picture: AFP Images

The move became official at an introductory press conference this afternoon.

Here is a snapshot of what they had to say:

ON THE LEADERSHIP PARTNERSHIP

Cummins said he wanted Smith as his vice-captain for his experience as a leader to help him while he handled huge workloads as the team’s premier fast bowler.

“How it looks, it could look different to what you’ve seen partnerships work in the past,” Cummins said.

“Steve (will be) taking an elevated vice captaincy role.

“We will nut out how exactly that works but it will be a real collaborative approach.

“Steve has huge strengths around tactics on the field, he sees it differently from first slip.

“I will lean on him … it might look different from the outside to other captains in the past.”

Smith said his job was to do whatever he could to take pressure off Cummins.

“It’s my job to help Patrick in any way I can,” Smith said.

“If there’s time on the field I can help and I guess help the workload with Pat then that is my job.

“We have known each other a long time, we’re close friends and get on really well and complement each other really well.

“This could be a real great partnership together moving forward.”

SMITH ON HIS LEADERSHIP CRITICS

Smith accepted there would be critics of his return to captaincy after the infamous Sandpapergate incident in 2018.

“I’ve been in a position the last few years as a leader on the field but now to be here as a formal or titled leader I am truly honoured,” Smith said.

“I think there will be some negativity from some people around it, I understand that and get it.

“for me I know I’ve grown a great deal the last three or four years. I’m a more well-rounded individual and it’s turned me into a better leader.”

CUMMINS DOESN’T PLAN TO REST

Cummins said he has no intention of being rested during the Ashes or missing a Test match as part of Australia’s fast bowler rotation policy.

“I very much doubt if I will rest from Test cricket. I’ve never rested from Test cricket before and I doubt I will start now,” Cummins said.

“I am really campaign focused … I will put everything in these next six weeks and 5 Test matches and go from there.

“(But) if I am injured or to miss a game Steve would take over and it would be seamless.”

THOUGHTS ARE WITH TIM PAINE

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley made special mention of ex-captain Tim Paine and his decision to step away from cricket to concentrate on his mental health in making the announcement as Cummins as the 47th Test captain.

“It is fair to say their appointment comes after a fairly challenging week for everyone,” Hockley said.

“That being said Pat and Steve are extremely well-credentialed to lead this team.

“We do recognise this is an incredibly difficult time for Tim and his family.

“We understand and respect Tim’s decision to take time to focus on his family and wellbeing.”

RECAP THE EARILER NEWS

Cummins and Smith were the only two candidates interviewed for the positions after a dramatic week

Cummins has been poised all week to take over from Tim Paine, who has now withdrawn from the first Ashes Test due to mental health issues – a result of the most traumatic week of his life.

Cummins described the honour as an “unexpected privilege” and looked forward to leading the Test team into the Ashes starting December 8.

“I am honoured to accept this role ahead of what will be a massive Ashes summer. I hope I can provide the same leadership Tim (Paine) has given the group in the past few years,” Cummins said.

“With Steve and I as captains, a number of very senior players in this squad and some great young talent coming through we are a strong and tightly knit group.

“This is an unexpected privilege which I am very grateful for and am very much looking forward to.”

Cummins will step into the role for the Ashes. Picture: Getty Images

Smith’s appointment as vice-captain marks an extraordinary comeback from the Sandpapergate scandal, with the former skipper entrusted into a leadership position once again.

With Cummins a fast bowler and likely to be rested at some point, it means Smith as vice-captain would be well poised to lead Australia again as a caretaker.

Smith accepted there would be critics of his return to captaincy after the infamous Sandpapergate incident in 2018.

“I’ve been in a position the last few years as a leader on the field but now to be here as a formal or titled leader I am truly honoured,” Smith said.

“I think there will be some negativity from some people around it, I understand that and get it.

“For me I know I’ve grown a great deal the last three or four years. I’m a more well-rounded individual and it’s turned me into a better leader.”

History has always weighed heavily towards batters as Test captains, but there is confidence from those who know him best that Cummins can buck the trend.

Intelligent, universally respected and a natural leader, it’s hoped Cummins can be the inspiration on and off the field Australian cricket needs.

CA confirmed Smith would step up as captain if Cummins is absent for any reason.

“I am pleased to return to the leadership of the team and look forward to helping and assisting Pat in any way I can. Pat and I have played together for a long time, so we know our respective styles well,” Smith said.

“We are also great friends, as is the whole group. As a team, we want to play good, positive cricket and also really enjoy each other’s company. They are exciting times ahead as we focus on the Ashes and beyond.”

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley praised Cummins as a leader both on and off the field.

“Pat is an outstanding player and leader. He has earned enormous respect from his teammates and from all corners of the game for his attitude and achievements, both on and off the field,” Hockley said.

“We are extremely fortunate to have an experienced group of senior players who themselves are superb leaders. I have no doubt that Pat and Steve will be well supported in their respective leadership roles.”