Australia will wear black arm bands on the second day of the fourth Test against India after captain Pat Cummins’ mother Maria lost her battle with breast cancer.
Cummins flew home to Australia immediately after the team’s second Test defeat in Delhi in late February to be around his family as his mother entered palliative care.
Ms Cummins died in Sydney overnight, three weeks after Cummins returned home.
Australia’s players were told of her death on Friday ahead of a crucial second day in Ahmedabad as they look to level the series 2-2.
“We are deeply saddened at the passing of Maria Cummins overnight,” a Cricket Australia statement read.
“On behalf of Australian Cricket, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Pat, the Cummins family and their friends.”
The plight of Cummins’ mother has touched the cricket world, with the Barmy Army playing the song Maria from the musical West Side Story in tribute during England’s Test against New Zealand last month.
“This is amazing @TheBarmyArmy, thank you. Mum loved watching this and felt very touched,” Cummins tweeted in response to the video.
Tweet from @CricketAus
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.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who attended day one of the fourth Test on Thursday to take part in an extravagant political rally with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, expressed his condolences to the Cummins family.
“My deepest sympathies to @patcummins30 and his family for their loss,” Albanese tweeted.
“All Australians will be thinking of you today.”
-AAP
