The Gossip

Pat Cummins, the captain of Australia, has experienced a remarkable year in his cricketing journey. Undoubtedly, 2023 can be considered as a pivotal year that has contributed significantly to the legacy of Pat Cummins.

In brief

Pat Cummins, the captain of Australia, achieved a remarkable feat by taking a 10-wicket-haul in his last match in 2023. Additionally, he led his team to victory in two ICC trophies during the same year. Cummins has undeniably had an exceptional time in the world of cricket in 2023. In an interview with ABC Sport, he expressed his deep thoughts about his mother, whom he thinks about every day. Unfortunately, his mother, Maria, passed away on 10 March 2023 after a long battle with illness, missing the opportunity to witness her son’s historic achievements with the Australian team. Cummins emotionally shared that his mother played a significant role in shaping his identity as a person. He tearfully disclosed that he firmly believed she would be immensely proud of his accomplishments in 2023.

Cricket has always held a significant place within our family, and witnessing the admiration and affection displayed by our long-standing adversaries was truly remarkable. Each day, I reflect upon her impact; she has witnessed numerous triumphs in the past, and she plays an integral role in shaping my identity. Undoubtedly, she would have felt immense pride,” Cummins expressed during an interview with ABC Sport.

Maria’s final moments were spent in the company of her son, just as Pat Cummins made the decision to prioritize his family and depart from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

After the unfortunate passing of Maria, Cummins made a triumphant return to the field for the World Test Championship Final against India. Surprisingly, the previous defeat in the BGT 2023 did not appear to have any lingering effects on him or the Australian team. With meticulous precision, they systematically dismantled India’s chances, ultimately claiming their first WTC Mace. The year 2023 proved to be a pivotal one for Australian cricket, as they embarked on a series of challenging endeavors away from home. From the demanding Test tour of India to The Ashes in England, followed by a white-ball tour of South Africa and culminating in the World Cup 2023, each assignment presented its own set of obstacles and dramatic moments for the team to overcome.

The creation of Pat Cummins’ legacy was heavily dependent on his ability to retain the Ashes as the Test captain. Australia began the 5-match series strongly, securing a 2-0 lead against the supposedly formidable Ben Stokes-led England team.

Buoyed by the Australian media’s support, which predicted a whitewash against England in the remaining three Test matches, the team faced a harsh reality. England emerged victorious in the third Test and came agonizingly close to winning the fourth Test in Manchester. As the series approached its final Test at The Oval, the atmosphere had undergone a complete transformation.

Australia faced criticism for their approach and squandering the lead, despite being seen as a team capable of winning a Test series in England and not just retaining the Ashes through a draw.

In the final Test match, Australia fought hard but ultimately lost by 49 runs, serving as a reality check that things wouldn’t always come easy.

On a personal note, Cummins suffered a broken wrist in the final match of the series, resulting in his sidelining due to injury until the tour of India.

As for his captaincy, Australia’s World Cup 2023 campaign couldn’t have started worse. Defeats in the first two matches against India and South Africa meant that they had to practically win every game thereafter to secure a spot in the semi-finals.

During that time, Michael Clarke, the captain who led Australia to victory in the 2025 World Cup, suggested that Cummins was not up to par as a captain and lacked understanding of the game. This viewpoint seemed valid considering Cummins’ limited experience of only four matches as captain of Australia.

Cummins chuckled as he recalled the moment when a couple of his teammates informed him about being dropped from the team before the third match of the tournament. However, beneath his ever-smiling demeanor, a hidden anger started to emerge, which became evident throughout the rest of the tournament. Cummins unleashed his fury on the Indian pitches, consistently bowling at a blistering pace of 145+ kmph, pushing Australia back into their winning rhythm. It seemed as though the Australian team took the decision to drop Cummins personally, and they were determined to dominate the rest of the teams in the tournament.

In the World Cup Final, Cummins once again showcased his ability to read the conditions and outperformed one of the greatest Indian cricket teams in history. He single-handedly dismissed the two most dangerous Indian batsmen, Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli, putting Australia in a commanding position to win the tournament.

Reflecting on his success, Cummins expressed, “This year will always be a memorable highlight of my cricketing career,” as he celebrated winning two ICC tournaments in 2023.

This year has been filled with numerous sacrifices, as many of the boys have spent more time away from home than they have actually been there. Therefore, it is a great opportunity for them to come together during this time of the year and celebrate. These sentiments were further emphasized by his statement.

The year 2023 has been a remarkable one for Pat Cummins, despite already winning two ICC tournaments. Taking a break from the white-ball series did not slow him down, as he made a stylish comeback in the Boxing Day Test match in Melbourne. This match marked the final international game of the year, and Cummins truly shined by taking an impressive 10-wicket-haul. He played a crucial role in breaking partnerships and making significant breakthroughs throughout the match.

Cummins’ ability to take matters into his own hands and turn the game around can be best described as moments of “Chuck it, I’ll do it myself.” This exceptional performance not only earned him recognition but also secured his position among the top 10 Australian Test wicket-takers of all time. It is truly remarkable considering the six years he missed due to a severe back injury.

Despite his remarkable achievements, many former cricketers believe that Cummins has yet to reach his full potential as a bowler. If 2023 has been a year of building his legacy, who knows what 2024 holds for him? It could potentially be a year that solidifies his legacy even further.