Cricket Australia and SA Health are agreeing to disagree on who made the call to reveal the contact after the post-meal revelation that the grade cricketer had tested positive to COVID, which put Cummins on ice, but it must be said that erring on the side of caution was not the worst outcome.
The whole encounter could only be revealed because Cummins, the Australian captain on a single outing, chose to inform the relevant health professionals and then let the chips fall where they may. There was never a thought to cover up or conceal: truth and integrity must be served whether there was a Test about to start or otherwise.
The game was important, of course – and the leader is very important – but following the rules was more so, whether they were shaped by concessions to common sense or not.
The Pat Cummins smile has become the skipper’s trademark.Credit:Getty
Cummins’ response to be being quarantined was to send a cheerio to his replacement in the bowling line-up, Michael Neser, wish him the best on his debut and assure sundry doubters that Steve Smith would be just fine doing a job he was well versed in. Through all this shone the Cummins smile. He was “gutted”, but the sun would come up on the ’morrow and the lights would illuminate the evening. His absence was no disaster, it was just “one of those things”.
There was no descent into indignant paroxysms, no ranting at the health bureaucrats or the politicians, just a cheery, boy-next-door calmness and a desire to move on.
In a television promotion for this series, Cummins is asked to stare down the barrel of the camera and make a stern face. He can’t do it convincingly. His eyes flick furtively away from the lens on a couple of occasions as if he is embarrassed to be asked to be the frontman, or even to be considered more important than a teammate.
He plays cricket seriously all right, but the gravity of the “second most important leadership position in the country” doesn’t define him. He was completely calm as he withdrew from the Test. This was leadership away from the playing field.
“Cummins has the duty to add some new rooms to Paine’s renovation, and has quickly set an example that fans can be proud of.”
Unlike some recent captains, Cummins doesn’t appear to want to “own” the team and look to create his “legacy”. He just wants to play and let others play, expressing their talent.
The Australian cricket team is not “his”; it belongs to everybody who wants to make a genuine contribution.
Buzzwords such as “leadership group” have infected many sporting codes. They used to be called “senior players”. Cummins has some excellent senior players to run the show without him and, so far in this Test, Australia have not missed a beat.
Smith has copped some barbs for the mere consequence of being promoted from vice- to full captain.
Notably, he is referred to in some quarters as the “stand-in captain” – a reasonable obliqueness, I suppose, but a fair one that recognises Cummins’ absence is short term.
As Tim Paine was charged with restoring an ethical footing to the national team while maintaining a
winning visage, Cummins has the duty to add some new rooms and redo the tiling on Paine’s renovation, and has quickly set an example on and off the field that his team can follow and the fans can be proud of.
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Cummins’ cool, calm response to COVID scare proves he’s right man to lead Australia
Source: Philippines Alive
