Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has acknowledged the possibility of missing the upcoming Sri Lanka tour. The tour is scheduled for later this month.
Cummins is anticipating the birth of his second child. The due date coincides with the Sri Lanka series, which begins January 29th. The series consists of two Test matches.
"In terms of Sri Lanka, we’ll wait and see. Becky's hanging on at the moment, so we’ll play it by ear. But most likely, I might struggle to get over there. They (the partners) do sacrifice a lot… so sharing moments like today with them makes it extra special," Cummins told reporters after the Border Gavaskar Trophy triumph on Sunday.
Cummins' potential absence opens the door for Steve Smith to lead the team. Smith captained Australia in the most recent Test series when Cummins returned home due to his mother's passing. This occurred during the India tour in 2023.
"You always talk about it (a succession plan). We've obviously got two vice captains in the team; we’ve had three debutants this series. You’re always balancing between the here and now… they're conversations that we always have," he continued.
Cummins emphasized the importance of family time. He expressed his intention to prioritize his role as a father and husband.
"Once this Test match finishes, going back to being a full-time dad and husband (and do) an even better job than being a Test captain. I love it and feel really lucky," Cummins added.
The Sri Lanka series serves as crucial preparation for the World Test Championship Final. Australia will face South Africa in the final. Their recent victory against India secured their second consecutive appearance in the championship. The six-wicket win in Sydney sealed their spot.
"We talk about the World Test Championship a lot, it's a trophy we're really proud to hold so we want to go back and defend it. I think it's a great tournament in that you've got to play well consistently and across all different conditions against different teams. It's great to be there again, and I can't wait to get over there," Cummins said.
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