- Missed tour of Sri Lanka and Champions Trophy
- Is enjoying family time with his new daughter Edi
- Has spoken about the new challenges of becoming a dad again
Australian Test cricket captain and fast bowling talisman Pat Cummins has opened up about becoming a father for the second time, including the moment that truly shocked him and wife Becky.
Cummins sat out the recent Test tour of Sri Lanka to recuperate from a minor ankle complaint and to be present for the birth of his second child.
He is also missing the Champions Trophy being played in Pakistan to remain at home with his young family, before returning for the World Test Championship final against South Africa in June.
Now, speaking with Champions Trophy broadcaster Prime Video, Cummins has spoken about his experiences becoming a dad the second time around, including the moment that came as a complete surprise.
‘I feel so grown up putting the kids to sleep and realising you’ve got kids,’ Cummins said as an ambassador for Prime Video.
‘But it’s amazing. We didn’t know what we were having. So to have a girl, somehow we were surprised.
Pat Cummins and his wife Becky have welcomed their second child to the world this month
Cummins’ daughter Edi has brought plenty of happiness, and some new challenges for the Test cricket captain
‘It’s meant to be 50-50 but we were still amazed. I just feel really lucky to have a healthy family.
‘Edi is three weeks old now. She’s going strong. Becky is doing amazing. I feel lucky that I’ve been home for this little stint and been in that little bubble. It’s all going strong.’
And Cummins said there were several differences in becoming a parent for the second time.
‘I feel a bit more relaxed. With Albie I think every first parent that I speak to, they fall asleep and you’re still staring at them (anxious to make sure) that they’re not going to stop breathing,’ Cummins said.
‘Whereas Edi is a bit, ‘leave her there, you know she’s not going to move.’
‘Albie has got a few toys out of it so he’s pretty chuffed with that. A few toy cars. He’s great. I think he knows what’s going on.’
The World Test Championship will not only serve as Cummins return to cricket, it will also be a golden opportunity to introduce Edi to their extended family in the UK.
‘Becky being from England, a lot of her family is over in England,’ Cummins said.
Cummins said he is enjoying some family time as he recovers from ankle soreness and misses the Champions Trophy campaign
Cummins is set to return for Australia in the World Test Championship final against South Africa in June
‘The World Test Championship the plan is for them to come over and spend a bit of time with our English family and do a bit of travel.
‘Maybe even (take the family to) India. We are tossing that up as well.’
While Cummins is firmly focused on family duties, he said the ankle had recovered nicely and he would be fit and firing for the WTC final.
‘It’s been great. I think even when you’re home you’ve always got an eye to the next tour and as a fast bowler you’re normally always bowling and doing gym and all those kind of things,’ Cummins said.
‘Whereas I’ve had a real break and haven’t had to think too much about cricket.
‘I feel really refreshed and again, feel really lucky being able to have this family time.’
