Australian Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins has dismissed claims that Cricket Australia lost A$40 million on Alinta Energy sponsorship due to his views on environmental issues.
A week before Australia embarks on his tour of India in the Border Gavaskar series, Cummins is reviving an old controversy that began last October when he refused to appear in a sponsor’s ad.
According to SMH reports, the pace bowler said he met with Cricket Australia (CA)’s Nick Hockley, CEO, where he expressed “concerns about the national team’s contract with Alinta Energy”. It says.
Alinta Energy has since decided not to renew its sponsorship after June 2023 due to a “change in branding strategy,” CA said in a statement he issued in October 2022.
Cummins indicated Tuesday that his position as captain has made him more controversial. Cummins told News Corp, “The position I’m in draws you into a lot of things.
“It was one of those moments that you have to live with.People you don’t know have opinions about you.My generation and those around me are passionate about different things. You’re open to things, some people just can’t leave these levels on their doorstep,” Cummins added. It is due to arrive in India next week for a series of four tests starting with.
Earlier last October, Cummins said she doesn’t hurt expressing her thoughts because she needs to maintain a balance when making her decisions. “It’s always been a balance. I’ve seen certain players making decisions based on their religion or certain foods when not working with certain partners,” Cummins said.
“Each organization has a responsibility to do what is right for sport and what they believe is right for their organization, and hopefully move society forward.
“There needs to be a balance when deciding who to bring into the cricket family,” he said.