Pat Cummins May Be Absent from Sri Lanka Tests Due to Upcoming Birth of Second Child
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Sydney, Jan 2 (NationPress) The captain of Australia, Pat Cummins, has suggested that he could potentially miss the Tests against Sri Lanka later this month, owing to the birth of his second child.
Following the conclusion of the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India in Sydney, Australia is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series starting January 29. This timing coincides with the anticipated delivery dates of Cummins' second child with his spouse Becky.
"It's quite challenging to pinpoint the exact day, but there's a strong possibility (I could miss the Sri Lanka tour)," Cummins mentioned to The Daily Telegraph on Thursday, just before the commencement of the Pink Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.
In Cummins' absence, Australia will be captained by either Steve Smith or Travis Head. He noted that the passing of his mother last year significantly changed his outlook on priorities. The fast bowler had departed midway through the tour of India to be by her side during her final moments.
"In many respects, it really sharpens your focus on what I believe is truly important. It's family, it's about finding joy, and I think there's been a slight transformation in how I've approached playing and traveling, giving me a clearer mindset," the Australian captain expressed.
"When you step out, your goal is to perform well, and while there will certainly be pressure, you must not forget the advice from mum and dad every time we played as kids: 'Enjoy it while giving it your best shot.' I strive to keep that in mind every time I travel or play. Whatever path you choose, there’s always a trade-off," Cummins reflected.
"In recent years, this realization has become increasingly evident. When you are on tour, you're sacrificing valuable family time or special moments. It’s a conscious decision, so you must ensure you maximize your experience during that tour or match, if that makes any sense."
Cummins has expressed remorse over missing the initial weeks of his son Albie's life due to his commitments during the World Cup. "I missed a significant portion (of Albie's early days) last time, and I want to find ways to spend more time at home during that crucial period this time," he stated.
Cummins is set to lead Australia in the fifth and final Test against India, aiming to secure a series victory of 3-1 for the first time since 2015. Currently, Australia is leading the series 2-1 after claiming victory in the Boxing Day Test by 184 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground earlier this week.
