Pat Cummins has confirmed the Aussie squad will perform an anti-racism ceremony before each Test in the series against India – and cricket fans can also expect to see regular stagings of the Welcome to Country.
Cummins, 31, spoke to Daily Mail Australia in Sydney on Monday ahead of his customised launch with Carrera Eyewear – and said he feels the pre-game collaborations are a good way to connect.
‘Before every series each year we always do a barefoot ceremony,’ he said.
‘[And] no doubt we will also do a Welcome to Country at each venue, starting with Perth next month.’
The aim of the barefoot ceremony is to present a united stance against racism, while also acknowledging the traditional owners of the land.
Both Australia and India previously performed the barefoot exercise ahead of an ODI match at the SCG in 2020, where Cummins acknowledged racism in society needs to be stamped out.
‘We want to do our bit to try and be better,’ the skipper said at the time.
Cummins also revealed he recently completed an 18-month project where he interviewed 11 people as part of his soon to be released book Tested.
Pat Cummins has confirmed the Aussie squad will perform an anti-racism ceremony before each Test in the series against India
Cricket fans can also expect to see regular staging of the Welcome To Country this summer with Cummins (right) as Test skipper
Among the interviewees Cummins chatted to in-depth was his wife Becky.
‘It was different, but in a good way,’ he said.
‘She had some really deep thoughts about motherhood and how she copes when I’m away on tour… it isn’t easy at times, especially now we have a baby on the way.
‘I tried to draw comparisons from the stories I was told to my life as a cricketer.’
It comes as Cummins was given the nod to captain Australia’s ODI team for a three-match series against Pakistan in November.
The fixtures will be played before the five-match Test series against India.
Mitch Marsh and Travis Head are on paternity leave, with Cummins to lead Australia’s first-choice attack.
Fellow quicks Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were also named in the 14-player squad.
Cummins told Daily Mail Australia he recently completed an 18-month project where he spoke to 11 people as part of his soon to be released book Tested – his wife Becky (pictured together with their son Albie) was among the interviewees
Cummins has been impressed by NSW young gun Sam Konstas, who recently plundered two centuries against South Australia in a Sheffield Shield match
When it comes to red-ball cricket, the Test arena will always be Cummins’ first choice.
‘I just love it, especially playing at home,’ he said. ‘India is always a huge series, they will have a billion fans watching closely.
‘I’m feeling fit and fresh, Test cricket is the pinnacle for me, bring it on.’
Cummins remained tight-lipped about where Steve Smith will bat – but did admit Cameron Green’s stress fractures were a ‘concern.’
He also tipped the likes of Todd Murphy and rising Western Australian off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli as players who could provide cover for Nathan Lyon.
‘It is good to have depth in key areas, and [also] the guys named in the Australia A squad have the chance to show what they can do,’ he said.
‘I’ve been impressed by Sam Konstas, two centuries in one Shield game is impressive.
‘We have a big schedule coming up, so if more players are in form, that is good news for Australian cricket.’
