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After a successful year that’s culminated in winning the World Test Championship, retaining the Ashes and claiming the ODI World Cup, Pat Cummins has admitted the criticism he’s copped in the past for his captaincy is “frustrating”.
After taking over from Tim Paine in the role, Cummins had his original detractors due to the lack of bowling captains in the past.
The 30-year-old’s tactics came under the microscope during the Ashes particularly, however he silenced the doubters when leading the Aussies to a World Cup final win.
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“There had been some criticism of his captaincy and his leadership. Not anymore,” Australian great Ricky Ponting said on commentary.
In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Cummins was asked if criticism of his tactics had impacted him.
“It definitely comes across your desk. Sometimes it’s frustrating,” he said.
“You feel like you want to explain why you did what you did. But if you did that every time, you wouldn’t have a minute left in your day.”
After losing the opening two games to India and South Africa, many had written off Australia to progress through to the semi-finals, let alone a final.
The skipper admitted his side were “a bit timid” from the start with both losses described as a “reality check”.
Along with criticism over his general tactics, Cummins has also received backlash for his stance on social issues.
The fast bowler has notably taken a strong view on climate change, and last year brought out his own range of clothing made from seaweed.
World Cup 2023 team of the tournament in pictures
The jumpers were designed to raise money for the regrowth of underwater seaweed forests.
Cummins was bullish on why he places such a strong stance on social issues.
“There’s some things that you don’t want to budge on. You can’t just leave your values at the door,” he said.
“… I love this country. So I think there’s areas that we should celebrate and there’s areas that we can always improve, just like anywhere else in the world.”
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