Cricketing legend Pat Cummins reveals how the death of his mother fundamentally changed him and his family: ‘She’s my hero’

Pat Cummins has revealed how losing his mother fundamentally changed the way he looks at the world. 

His mum, Maria, died in May last year, and the cricketing legend has said it was the most difficult period of his life. 

‘My mum, she’s not necessarily someone [who was] in the public limelight, but she’s my hero’ he tells Stellar Magazine. 

‘And it wasn’t because she was on TV every day or doing these worldwide, public things. It was the everyday things that she did over her lifetime’.

The 32-year-old added: ‘I think [her death has] given me a bit more understanding of what other people might be going through. That’s what experience does. 

‘It kind of opens up your eyes. For me, it gives clarity on what to focus on – and what to not waste energy on’.

Pat is also now prioritising more time with family – his wife, Becky, is pregnant with their second child and the pair have a son Albie, 2.

‘Anything that I do now, I have that second of pause and say, “This is going to take me away from my family. Is it something that I really want to do?” And if it’s a “yes”, then you’re all in it’ he said. 

‘I find myself more deliberate in where I spend my time and effort and energy. You just have to as a parent. And I think that’s a good thing’. 

Earlier this year, Pat revealed was never mentally present for last year’s Test tour of India, describing it as the ‘hardest time of his life’ as he grappled with his mother’s loss of health.

The challenging episode has encouraged him to take a more holistic approach to leadership, encouraging players to live full lives on tour.

Cummins travelled to India in February of 2023 and stayed for just two Tests before making a dash home to be by his mother Maria’s side as she received palliative care.

He didn’t return to team duty until after she died in May.

His mum, Maria (left), died in May last year, and the cricketing legend has said it was the most difficult period of his life 

Pat is also now prioritising more time with family – his wife, Becky, is pregnant with their second child and the pair have a son Albie, 2. All pictured  

The Test captain opened up on his experiences on The Imperfects, a podcast which sees famous Australians reflect on difficult stages of their life which are not always in the public eye.

‘I knew when I was getting on that plane (to the India tour) 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 was heavily scrutinised as his side fell to a 2-0 deficit in the series, which kept the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Indian hands.

Cummins took just three wickets in two Tests.

The 30-year-old said while he travelled with his parents’ best wishes, he didn’t feel present.

‘For those couple of weeks I was in India, especially now I look back at it, my mind was not in India. It was back home the whole time,’ he said.

‘My mum, she’s not necessarily someone [who was] in the public limelight, but she’s my hero’ he tells Stellar Magazine

‘Flying away, that’s the hardest time of my life, easily.

‘I probably felt, the 12 months leading in, any time I flew away, I was like, ‘time is finite here. I’m making a deliberate choice to go and play somewhere rather than spend it at home’.’

Cummins said both COVID-19, when travelling athletes were contained to hotel rooms to maintain their sporting commitments, and the loss of Maria changed his approach the captaincy.

‘If we’re going to be away from our families, let’s make sure we’re having 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 and explore, go and see a show.

‘We’re trying to create as much space in the diary for people to be able to live their lives.

‘It’s definitely a lesson learned from mum. I don’t want to waste any time.’

Read more in Stellar Magazine