- Pat Cummins and wife Becky are expecting birth in February
- Loss of his mum last year has changed his perspective on life
Pat Cummins has revealed what made him take the big decision to spend more time at home after his second child is born – even if means he has to miss out on playing Test cricket for Australia.
The Australian Test skipper is expecting his second child with wife Becky in January or early February, around the time the Aussies are scheduled to play two Tests against Sri Lanka.
Cummins says he regrets not spending more time with his wife when his son Albie was born in 2021, so he’s making sure things will be different this time.
‘I missed a big chunk [of son Albie’s early days] last time and I want to work out how we can spend a bit more time at home for that initial period this time around,’ Cummins told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘Within reason, no one is ever going to 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 for Australia, and you can’t just ask them to put their life on hold to go tour the world and forget about everything else. We’re pretty open when it comes to family.’
Cummins revealed earlier this year how losing his mother Maria in 2023 fundamentally changed the way he looks at the world.
‘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 told Stellar magazine.
Pat Cummins regrets not spending more time at home after the birth of his first child Albie (pictured with Cummins and his wife Becky)
The superstar fast bowler will take time away from Test cricket if needed when their second baby arrives in January or February
‘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.
Becky (pictured with Albie) and Cummins revealed they’re expecting a second child back in August
The Aussie skipper (pictured with Becky and Albie during the 2023 Ashes series) says losing his mother in 2023 has changed his perspective on life
Cummins and Becky first revealed they are expecting their second child back in August, delivering the news on Instagram by writing: ‘Incredibly happy to finally share our [baby emoji] news!
‘We are so exited to meet you, baby, and to add a little more craziness to our lives.’
The post was accompanied by photos of Becky showing off her baby bump with Albie, who she is seen cradling while he places a hand on her belly in one image.
Cummins’ teammate Mitch Marsh was one of the first to congratulate the couple on the heartwarming announcement, as were cricket star Travis Head’s wife Jessica, Aaron Finch’s wife Amy, Usman Khawaja’s wife Rachel and Becky’s sister Kara.
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