Pat Cummins mother Maria has died with the Australian Test cricket side to pay tribute against India

Maria Cummins, the mother of Australian men’s Test cricket team captain Pat Cummins, has died.   

The cricketer left India after the second Test of the four-match series in India to be by his mum’s side at home in Sydney. 

Maria was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. The cancer returned in early 2022 before reaching the point where she was moved to palliative care. 

‘I feel I am best being here with my family,’ he said in a statement at the time.

‘I appreciate the overwhelming support I have received from Cricket Australia and my teammates. Thanks for your understanding.’

His teammates will wear black armbands in the fourth Test against India in Ahmedabad on Friday to honour their captain and Maria. 

‘We will wear black armbands today as a mark of respect for Pat Cummins’ mum Maria. Our heartfelt condolences to Pat, the Cummins family and their friends,’ the team said in a statement.

Maria Cummins (left) with Pat Cummins and his sisters Laura and Kara during happier times

Maria Cummins (left) with Pat Cummins and his sisters Laura and Kara during happier times

Cricket Australia posted the following statement: 

‘We are deeply saddened at the passing of Maria Cummins overnight. On behalf of Australian Cricket, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Pat, the Cummins family and their friends,’ the statement read.

‘The Australian Men’s team will today wear black armbands as a mark of respect.’

Previously the Barmy Army, the travelling supporter group for the English Test cricket side, paid tribute to Maria by playing a song in her name at a Test match against New Zealand.

Aussie allrounder Cameron Green wears a black armband to honour Maria Cummins as he returns to the crease for day two of the fourth Test

Aussie allrounder Cameron Green wears a black armband to honour Maria Cummins as he returns to the crease for day two of the fourth Test

Cummins personally thanked the Barmy Army for their gesture. 

‘This is amazing @TheBarmyArmy, thank you. Mum loved watching this and felt very touched,’ he posted at the time. 

The tributes have begun to roll in from former Aussie Test cricket players.

Former pace bowler Brendon Julian said in commentary: ‘Just before we start today, our prayers and thoughts and condolences go out to the Pat Cummins family, with mother Maria passing away and the Australian players will wear a black armband.’

‘Our hearts and prayers are with Patty and his family at this time,’ added fellow Fox Sports analyst and former Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

Cummins left India to be with his mother while she battled serious illness. She died overnight

Cummins left India to be with his mother while she battled serious illness. She died overnight

Maria was a huge supporter of Pat and also the Jane McGrath Pink Test at the SCG.

Cummins wrote about the struggles the family went through five years ago for Athlete’s Voice.

‘My mum’s name is Maria and she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 when I was in year seven at school. She tried to shelter the kids – Matt, Laura, Tim, Kara and me – from much of what went on,’ Cummins’ wrote for Athlete’s Voice back in 2018.

‘I remember her telling us, ‘I’m not going to be my normal self for the next little while,’ at the outset. And I remember all the family and friends stepping in and helping out with things like school pick-ups and making dinners. My dad, Peter, played the role of both parents there for a while.

‘Mum went through all the chemo and radiation therapy. It lasted about six months. She’s one of the lucky ones. She came out the other side.

‘But cancer has a tendency to hang over your head long after you’ve gone into remission. There are all the check-ups and the tests and that means the thought of it is always lurking somewhere.

‘As a kid you think, ‘Mum said it’s going to be alright so it’s going to be alright.’ It’s not until you get a bit older when you think, ‘That was really serious.

Cummins speaking to media in India prior to leaving to be at his mother's side during her illness

Cummins speaking to media in India prior to leaving to be at his mother’s side during her illness

Aussie cricket fans have also stepped up in numbers to pass on their respects and condolences.

‘That’s very sad. Hopefully Pat and his family managed to spend quality time with their Mum before she passed. We sometimes forget Cricket is just a game, and it will be there when he is ready to come back,’ one fan posted.

‘I hope there is a tribute for her she was obviously a wonderful mother who raised her son to be captain of the Australian cricket team my deepest condolences to the Cummins family in this extremely difficult time.’ added another.

Australia’s players, coaches and staff have been highly supportive of Cummins’ call to take leave mid-series to be closer to his family.

After last week’s memorable nine-wicket win against India in Indore, the team immediately checked in with Cummins through video calls and messages.

Steve Smith has filled in as captain in Cummins’ absence during the final two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar series.

‘To be able to put that to one side while he’s out captaining his country and trying to win Test matches is a pretty incredible effort,’ Peter Handscomb said last month.

‘I think that speaks volumes about his character and why he’s been such an incredible captain for us.’

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