- The captain of the test was criticized by fans and former players
- He was attacked by the likes of Mitchell Johnson, Shane Warne
Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has revealed the surprising support he received from a prominent leader during one of the most difficult periods of his career to date.
Cummins was forced to absorb attacks from cricket fans and former players alike in 2022, when coach Justin Langer and the Test team parted ways.
Langer had been in the role since May 2018, leading the team to several major victories, including victory in the 2021-22 Ashes series.
However, he was criticized due to player unrest and dissatisfaction with his coaching style.
The former Test opener then walked away from the team after being offered, and rejected, a six-month contract with no possibility of extension.
Because it was claimed that player unrest helped get Langer out the door, Cummins bore the brunt of the criticism.
Former Australian Test coach Justin Langer (pictured with Pat Cummins) has rejected a six-month contract extension in 2022 after he was forced to reapply for his job.
Cummins (pictured with wife Becky and son Albie) came under fire after reports that players were unhappy with Langer’s intense coaching style.
Former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson branded Cummins a “coward” in his newspaper column, while Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist also criticized the way their former teammate had been forced to leave the team. proof.
“When Justin’s contract was not renewed, it put me right in the line of fire,” Cummins writes in his new book Tested.
‘During the process I felt the true responsibility to be respectful of the process and also to be open, transparent and honest, but always along the right paths.
“I was never going to get caught up in the public shooting.”
Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard features in Cummins’ new book with an entire chapter dedicated to interviewing her.
Cummins made the surprising revelation that he had received support from former Prime Minister Julia Gillard during that hostile period of his career.
He has dedicated a chapter of his book to the former prime minister and interviews Gillard about how she handled a barrage of personal attacks during her time in politics.
“As in Julia’s case, much of the conversation was brought down to a low level, which had nothing to do with what was right or wrong for the team, and was distracted by ridiculous comments and insults,” he wrote. Cummins.
“Things multiplied in the media, but what I find funny is that when big things in the media end up being wrong, you become desensitized to the hyperbole.
“I got through it by remembering that my job is to look after Australian cricket, not former players.”
Cummins defended his fellow Australians from the constant attacks, including Langer referring to them as “cowards” before later saying his comments were not about them.
Cummins has been criticized several times during his career for everything from the Langer saga to his stance on climate change and the Australian team taking a knee on Black Lives Matter.
“I think in this position you’re always going to annoy people, regardless of whether you do something or not,” he said in 2022.
‘Alright. I know what I signed up for but I also believe we are cricketers…you can’t leave your values at the door. People defend different things.
The Australian captain also praised the Test team for the way they handled the divorce from Langer, who lashed out at anonymous “cowards” on the BackChat Podcast who he claims complained about his intense coaching style.
He later clarified in an interview on Channel 7 that he was not referring to the players.
“There are no cowards in the Australian cricket team, ever,” Cummins said at the time.
‘I thank Justin for clarifying his comments afterwards.
‘He thought about it and clarified it, so I appreciate that.
“But we’re very proud of the last 12 months, how we’ve coped, how we’ve played, how we’ve conducted ourselves.”
“The players can certainly hold their heads up high.”