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 the loss of his mother has fundamentally changed the way he sees the world.

His mother, Maria, died in May last year, and the cricket legend has said this was the most difficult period of his life.

“My mother, she’s not necessarily anyone [who was] in the public spotlight, but she is my hero,” he says Stellar magazine.

“And it wasn’t because she was on TV every day or doing these global, public things. It was the everyday things she did during her life.”

The 32-year-old added: “I think [her death has] I’ve gained a little more insight into what other people are going through. That’s what experience does.

‘It opens your eyes a bit. For me it gives clarity on what we should focus on – and what we shouldn’t waste energy on.’

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

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

‘I notice that I am more conscious of what I spend my time, effort and energy on. You just have to do that as a parent. And I think that’s a good thing.”

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

The challenging episode has 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 for just two tests before rushing home to be by his mother Maria’s side as she received palliative care.

He only returned to team duty after she died in May.

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

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

The Test captain talked about his experiences on The Imperfects, a podcast in which famous Australians reflect on difficult phases of their lives that are not always in the public eye.

“I knew when I got on that plane (to the India tour) that I would have to come back in a few weeks,” he said.

“Maybe only a handful of people knew this would be the case.”

As is the case with any Australian captain, Cummins came under heavy scrutiny on every tour – but especially in India – as his side fell 2-0 behind in the series, leaving the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Indian hands.

Cummins took just three wickets in two Tests.

The 30-year-old said he felt disconnected during his trip with his parents’ best wishes.

‘Those few weeks I was in India, especially now that I look back on it, my mind was not on India. It was home all the time,” he said.

“My mother, she’s not necessarily anyone [who was] in the public spotlight, but she is my hero,” he tells Stellar Magazine

‘Flying away is easily the hardest time of my life.

“I probably felt like for the 12 months leading up to it, every time I flew out, I thought, ‘Time is finite here.’ I consciously choose to go play somewhere instead of spending it at home.’

Cummins said both COVID-19, when traveling athletes were sent to hotel rooms to fulfill their sporting obligations, and the loss of Maria changed his approach to captaincy.

“When we’re away from our families, let’s make sure we have the time of our lives,” he said.

‘Play really good cricket, but pack your golf clubs, take your coffee maker, when we’re in London, go exploring, go to a show.

‘We try to create as much space as possible in the agenda so that people can live their lives.

“It’s definitely a lesson we learned from mom. I don’t want to waste time.’

Read more in Stellar Magazine