‘I’m glad there’s a wall in between us’: Pat Cummins’ awkward-as-hell radio encounter

Australian Test captain Pat Cummins found himself in a tense and awkward on-air situation with cricket’s old public enemy No. 1.

Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins found himself in a tense on-air situation as he came face-to-face with infamous KIIS FM producer Peter Deppeler, better known as ‘Intern Pete.’

The awkward encounter during The Kyle & Jackie O Show on Tuesday morning was a throwback to Deppeler’s controversial past, which included a notorious 2018 press conference that left him widely criticised and hated within the cricket community.

Cummins was on the show to promote his new sports drink, Pace Rapid Hydration, but the focus quickly shifted when he was introduced to Deppeler, the man who, in the eyes of many cricket fans, crossed a line during the infamous’ sandpaper gate’ saga.

Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins found himself in a tense and awkward on-air situation as he came face-to-face with infamous KIIS FM producer Peter Deppeler. Picture: The Kyle & Jackie O Show

The brief but charged exchange began with Deppeler attempting a cordial greeting.

“Hi Pat, how you going? Massive fan,” Deppeler said.

The Aussie skipper responded with a simple, “Thanks, mate,” before an awkward pause followed.

Host Kyle Sandilands quickly intervened.

“That’s Intern Pete,” Kyle said, introducing Deppeler to Cummins.

Jackie O, the other half of the popular radio duo, added, “You get on so well with all the cricketers.”

Deppeler nervously replied, “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

But Sandilands bluntly stated, “Pete, I think that all cricketers think you’re a piece of s**t, and they’re not far wrong. They’re not.”

Deppeler, seemingly aware of his controversial reputation, admitted, “No, which is totally fair.”

Cummins maintaining a calm demeanour but quipped, “I’m glad there’s a wall in between us.”

This frosty interaction stemmed from an incident in 2018 that has no doubt haunted Deppeler since.

During a press conference held by Steve Smith, then-captain of the Australian Test side, to apologise for his role in the ball-tampering scandal that rocked the nation, Deppeler made a widely condemned remark.

The hosts replayed the archived audio, smearing salt in the old wound, as Deppeler desperately protested, “Nah, nah, all good” to no avail.

You can listen to the exchange in the player at the top of the page

The tense interaction revolved around Deppeler’s controversial past, including his infamous remark during the 2018 ball-tampering scandal press conference involving Steve Smith. Picture: AFP

As Smith tearfully addressed the nation in 2018, Deppeler attempted to lighten the mood with a comment that quickly backfired.

“I want to let you know from the perspective [of the] non-sports community of Australians, to see you upset tonight is very sad,” Deppeler began.

He then added, “Mate I’ve got to tell you … hold your head high for what you have done because what’s actually been worse is what Davina and Dean did on Married At First Sight.”

The remark, which compared Smith’s scandal to a reality TV show incident, was swiftly cut off by media handlers, but the damage was done.

Social media erupted with outrage as Deppeler became a lightning rod for criticism.

Reflecting on the incident, Deppeler spoke exclusively to news.com.au’s Andrew Bucklow in 2018, expressing regret for his poorly timed comment.

“As everyone watching at home saw, the solemnness of the moment was extraordinary,” Deppeler explained.

Deppeler’s comment comparing the scandal to a reality TV show incident received widespread criticism, leading to public outrage and labelling him as ‘the most hated man in Australia.’ Credit: Ben Symons.

“To many, it held a lot more intensity than one would expect for a sporting incident. Steve was so upset which surprised everyone in the room, and I just wanted to let him know that it truly wasn’t the end of the world.”

Deppeler insisted that his intention was not to make light of Smith’s situation but rather to offer a perspective from Australians who aren’t as invested in cricket.

“It wasn’t my intention to make light of his personal situation, but to show him that the millions of Australians who aren’t obsessed with cricket empathise with him. But timing is everything and, on reflection, it wasn’t the best time to ask that.”

He also clarified that his question was not part of any planned stunt, nor was it ordered by Kyle or Jackie O.

“This wasn’t a set-up stunt,” Deppeler asserted.

“Heading to the airport I didn’t actually realise it was going to be a press conference. Along with many of the other media outlets, we were initially told he’d [Steve Smith] be walking through the airport, and, along with all the other waiting journalists and reporters, I thought I may be able to call out a question to him as he walked through.”

The conversation on the show briefly shifted to Cummins’ leadership as the current Australian cricket captain, where he diplomatically compared himself to former captain Michael Clarke. Picture: AFP

Deppeler’s attempt to inject “a moment of light and warmth” was widely criticised, and he was forced to deal with the consequences.

“Many Australians take their cricket very, very seriously, and others, not so much,” he said when asked about the reaction.

“For the rest of the country who don’t follow the sport, I’ve received a lot of support as they can see the level of social media trolling that’s been directed at me which, ironically, had all previously been directed at the three cricket players since it was revealed they’d cheated.”

As Tuesday morning’s conversation on The Kyle & Jackie O Show continued, the focus briefly shifted to Cummins’ leadership as the current Australian cricket captain.

Sandilands asked him to compare himself to former captain Michael Clarke.

Michael Clarke (L) and Pat Cummins are both leaders in Australian cricket. Picture: Christian Gilles

“What about Michael Clarke? Do you know Clarkey?” Sandilands asked.

“I do know Clarkey. He was my captain when I first started playing. Yeah, that was 14 years ago or something?” Cummins responded.

Cummins diplomatically answered when pressed on whether he considers himself a better captain than Clarke, “Well, I mean, you’ve gotta back yourself, don’t you? So, of course.”

Sandilands then inquired about their respective records. “Have you had more wins than Clarkey had?”

“I don’t know. I mean, I’ve done it for two years, he’s done it for about five or so. I mean, he’s got a pretty good record,” Cummins replied, tactfully sidestepping any direct comparison.

Originally published as ‘I’m glad there’s a wall in between us’: Pat Cummins’ awkward-as-hell radio encounter