Pat Cummins has revealed how the loss of her mother fundamentally changed the way she views the world.
His mother, Maria, died in May last year and the cricket legend has said it was the most difficult period of his life.
“My mother is not necessarily someone who was in the public spotlight, but she is my hero,” she says. Stellar Magazine.
‘And it wasn’t because she was on TV every day or doing these things public all over the world. It was the everyday things he did during his life.’
The 32-year-old added: “I think (his death) has given me a little bit more understanding of what other people might be going through.” That’s what experience does.
“It kind of opens your eyes. For me, it gives me clarity on what to focus on and what not to waste energy on.”
Pat is also now prioritizing spending more time with family: His wife, Becky, is pregnant with their second child and the couple has a son, Albie, 2.
‘Whatever I do now, I have that second pause and say, “This is going to take me away from my family. Is this something I really want to do?” And if it’s “yes,” then you’re all in agreement,’ he said.
Pat Cummins has revealed how the loss of her mother fundamentally changed the way she views the world. Photographed in Stellar Magazine
‘I find myself more deliberate in devoting my time, effort and energy. You just have to do it as a parent. And I think that’s a good thing.”
Earlier this year, Pat revealed that he was never mentally present for last year’s Test tour of India, describing it as the “most difficult time of his life” as he dealt with the loss of his mother’s health.
The challenging episode encouraged him to take a more holistic approach to leadership, encouraging players to live full lives on tour.
Cummins traveled to India in February 2023 and stayed alone for two tests before returning home to be at his mother Maria’s side while she received palliative care.
He didn’t return to the team until after she died in May.
His mother, Maria (left), died in May last year and the cricket legend has said it was the most difficult period of his life.
Pat also now prioritizes spending more time with family: His wife, Becky, is pregnant with their second child and the couple has a son, Albie, 2. All photos
The Test captain spoke about his experiences on The Imperfects, a podcast in which famous Australians reflect on difficult times in their lives that are not always in the public eye.
“When I got on that plane (for the India tour) I knew I was going to have to come back in a couple of weeks,” he said.
“Maybe only a handful of people knew that was going to be the case.”
As is the case with any Australian captain, on any tour, but particularly in India, Cummins came under intense scrutiny as his team fell to a 2-0 series deficit, keeping the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in his hands. Indians.
Cummins took only three wickets in two Tests.
The 30-year-old said that although he was traveling with the best wishes of his parents, he did not feel present.
‘During those couple of weeks I was in India, especially now that I think about it, my mind was not in India. “It was at home all the time,” he said.
“My mother is not necessarily someone who was in the public spotlight, but she is my hero,” she tells Stellar Magazine.
‘Flying away, that’s the hardest moment of my life, easily.
“I probably felt like, in the previous 12 months, every time I flew away, I thought, ‘time is finite here.’ I’m making a deliberate decision to go play somewhere instead of spending it at home.”
Cummins said both COVID-19, when traveling athletes were confined to hotel rooms to maintain their sporting commitments, and the loss of Maria changed his approach to captaincy.
“If we’re going to be away from our families, let’s make sure we have the time of our lives,” he said.
“Play really good cricket, but pack your golf clubs, bring your coffee machine, if we’re in London, go explore, go see a show.”
‘We’re trying to create as much space in the diary for people to live their lives.
‘It’s definitely a lesson learned from mom. I don’t want to waste my time.’
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