Pat Cummins refuses to leave his values at the door of the Australian cricket captaincy

A certain demographic of cricket fans don’t like Pat Cummins’ public climate change crusade - the national captain says his generation can’t walk past the problem.

The Alinta Energy affair will not stop Pat Cummins from becoming a climate change advocate – but he insists it was “absolute rubbish’’ he cost Cricket Australia an eight figure deal.

Cummins has opened up about the huge fallout of the pre-season storm which engulfed him after an interview he did with Nine was interpreted as him having a key say in the non-renewal of Australia’s $40 million sponsorship, which Alinta energy opted not to renew due to a change in brand strategy. The deal ends in June this year.

Of the accusation that his views triggered the demise of the deal, Cummins said: “It was complete rubbish. The nature of the position I am in you do get dragged into different things. It was one of those moments you have to live with people you don’t know having opinions about you.’’

Cummins, despite having concerns over the sponsorship, answered an SOS to become an ambassador for Alinta for a third successive year during the Covid crisis as Alinta were having extreme difficulty accessing players.

But Cummins, a prime mover in the Cricket for Climate group formed to reduce the game’s carbon footprint, eventually decided not to take part in Alinta’s most recent cricket commercials and makes no apologies for continuing his quiet crusade for climate change.

Pat Cummins has rubbished claims he had a say on Alinta’s non-renewal. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

He accepts he will be frequently torn down on social media as a consequence of his actions.

“It doesn’t bother me at all,’’ Cummins told News Corp.

“I am not doing things to please absolutely everyone. Steve Jobs said he would go and sell ice cream if he wanted to do that.’’

Research shows Cummins’ climate-consciousness has divided the nation.

He has become a poster boy to many of his generation for sticking up for the environment but many outspoken Australians over 60 believe national cricket captaincy and climate crusades should be kept in separate lanes.

“My generation and people around that are passionate about different things. They are open minded to things … some people can’t leave those values at the door. They can’t walk past those values. If that creates different conversations maybe that is a good thing.

“I don’t think I shout it from the roof tops. I just try and do a lot myself to make little changes in my life if I can. If I can make a little bit of difference through my actions or Cricket for Climate I am not too bothered by people picking holes in it.

“My job is to lead the team and do my best. If there are other things I am passionate about that I can think I can make a difference with then from time to time I can share them.’’

Cummins has been criticised for flying first class and driving an environmentally challenging car but it will not sway him from sticking to a course he believes in.

“Just because no-one is going to be absolutely perfect does not mean we all throw our hands together and blow up,” he said.

“If you start from the starting point that maybe we can all do one thing a little better that is a good thing.

“As soon as you enter this space you get people wanting to tear you down and try and end the conversation for whatever reasons. I have never quite understood why it is. It is such a divisive topic.’’

Cummins backs Gardner’s Jan 26 stance

Test captain Pat Cummins has expressed his support for Ash Gardner as cricket’s Australia Day debate rumbles on.

Indigenous star Gardner expressed concern Australia is playing a women’s international against Pakistan on Australia Day on January 26 in Hobart.

Gardner has been the victim of stinging on-line feedback since this week’s social media post but has solid support in the cricket community.

“I feel for Ash,’’ Cummins told News Corp.

“It is a tough situation. It is a tough day for many in Australia.’’

Well done @akgardner97 for using your platform as an Australian cricketer and proud Aboriginal woman, to promote conversation in the hope our MP’s et al, can make meaningful improvements to the systemic & cyclical issues affecting our people.

Changing the date can be a start😊 https://t.co/KEfIJTrfyh

— Dan Christian (@danchristian54) January 24, 2023

Fellow Indigenous player Dan Christian tweeted his support for Gardner by applauding her “for using your platform as an Australian cricketer and proud Aboriginal woman to promote conversation in the hope our MP’s et al, can make meaningful improvements to the systemic and cyclical issues affecting our people.”

“Changing the date can be a start.’’

Australia faces a key decision next summer whether to play a men’s Test match against the West Indies on January 26.

“I have not thought enough about that yet to have a strong enough opinion,’’ Cummins said. “Most January’s been pretty clear for us for the last few years we have not really have had to make these sorts of decisions.’’

Originally published as Pat Cummins refuses to leave his values at the door of the Australian cricket captaincy