Cricketer Pat Cummins and his wife Becky have spoken about their struggles after the birth of their son Albie, with the Test captain having to fly to India just four days later.
The Australian captain is expecting his second child with his wife Becky in January or early February, around the time the Australians will play two Tests against Sri Lanka.
Cummins has said he regrets not spending more time with his wife when his son Albie was born in 2021, so he is making sure things are different this time.
In his new book, Tested, Cummins and his wife discuss the heartbreaking toll it took on Cummins not to be present during Albie’s first weeks.
“We came home from the hospital the day you left and I remember finding you crying on the floor while you (Pat) were packing,” Becky tells Pat in the book, reported by news corporation.
‘All I could think was, “Why is he so excited? We’re going to be fine. “It’s not a big deal.”
‘They say ignorance is bliss. When I look back, (taking care of a newborn alone for about a month) was the hardest thing I had ever done in my life at that time.
‘But I spent every day knowing that I would soon be on a plane and meeting you, so I held on to that. That alone helped me get through very lonely and exhausting days and nights.
Pat Cummins’ wife Becky has opened up about the weeks following the birth of their son Albie.
Becky says she found Pat sobbing on the floor before he had to fly to India
‘When I finally arrived in Brisbane in November for the start of the summer series, we spent two wonderful days together before you were named Test captain.
“It was amazing and well deserved, but I also felt like my world had collapsed.” I had no control over anything. This baby was supposed to be the most important thing in our lives and all I wanted was for us to be together to enjoy it.
“I felt like that importance and that time was being taken away from me. Your new role was the only thing everyone was talking about. It was all over the news. And every decision and every meeting regarding the captaincy seemed so urgent. I was very proud but I also felt a little empty.
‘You were up to the task and were absolutely incredible. I knew you were the best man for the job and that this was your time to shine, but what a bad time. I often thought about how selfish it was for me to think like that.
‘I was only a few weeks postpartum and was physically and mentally exhausted, but I’ll never forget the moment I realized I had to go home and do it alone. I had to do it, because if Albie and I stayed with him, it would break your heart and break your concentration.
Pat says she’ll make sure she’s more present after the birth of her next child.
“You couldn’t be a captain and a young father at that time and I felt the best thing I could do was let you be captain.”
Earlier this month, Cummins revealed that she will be sure to be closer after the birth of her next baby.
“Last time I missed a big part (of my son Albie’s early days) and this time I want to find out how we can spend a little more time at home during that early period,” Cummins told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘Within reason, no one will bat an eyelid if someone needs to put their family first.
“We’re playing cricket, it’s not the end of the world, so we want people to have long, successful careers in Australia, and you can’t just ask them to put their lives on hold to tour the world and forget about everything.” etc. We are quite open when it comes to family.
Cummins revealed earlier this year how losing his mother Maria in 2023 fundamentally changed the way he views the world.
‘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 everyone’s on board,” he told 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.
