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Pat Cummins has found himself under the microscope after Cricket Australia announced a new sponsorship deal on Monday with one of the country’s biggest energy suppliers, Origin Energy.
Cummins has copped flak over the years for his stance on a range of social issues, with the 32-year-old being a prominent advocate for climate change action.
Some have even gone as far as branding the pace bowler a ‘woke far left climate catastrophist clown’, with Cummins having founded the Cricket For Climate charity in 2021, a not-for-profit player-led movement that aims to use the sport to help create a sustainable and environmentally friendly future.
The Aussie Test cricket captain is one of the greats to have graced the game, having guided Australia to victory in the World Test Championship Final in 2023. He would go on to lead Australia to victory in the One Day World Cup and retain the Ashes that same year.
Cummins won’t feature for Australia in the first Test against England in Perth, which begins on Friday, due to a back injury.
However, the Aussie skipper has been spending some time in camp with his team-mates over the past few weeks and today was seen bowling in the nets to his team-mate Marnus Labuschagne. The skipper moved freely and looked in good form as he sprinted up and down the practice wickets.
Pat Cummins (pictured) has found himself under the microscope after Cricket Australia had announced a new sponsorship deal with one of the country’s biggest energy suppliers, Origin Energy
Despite being ruled out of this week's first Test in Perth, the skipper (pictured) was seen bowling in the nets on Monday to Marnus Labuschagne
Cricket Australia announced a multi-million dollar partnership with one of Australia's biggest gas and electricity company, Origin Energy, on Monday
Cummins, who welcomed his second child earlier this year, was also present on Monday as Cricket Australia announced its new multi-million dollar sponsorship with gas and electricity provider, Origin Energy.
It comes two years after the governing body’s $40m deal with fellow energy provider Alinta came to an end.
Back in 2022, Cummins had in fact approached former Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley over that arrangement, expressing his objections to the partnership.
‘I’ve got my own personal views so when it comes to personal sponsorships, there are some companies I wouldn’t want to align with,’ Cummins had told The Sydney Morning Herald speaking on the Alinta deal.
‘When we’re getting money, whether it’s programs for junior cricket, grassroots, things for fans around Australia, I feel a real responsibility that with that, we’re doing on balance what is the right thing.’
And over the past three years, the Australian skipper has continued to campaign for greater awareness around climate change. In 2022, he penned an essay in The Guardian, claiming that sport can help provide a solution to the climate change issue.
In August, he lobbied Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to establish a government-backed $100m fund, known as Sport Forever, to help clubs cope with the costs associated with climate change. The fund would help over 1,000 grassroots clubs manage things such as rainfall and excessive heat, which have become prevalent due to the changing climate.
Cricket Australia’s partnership with Origin may be a tricky subject for the governing body to approach, given Cummins’ stance on climate change.
Cummins has copped flak over the years for his stance on a range of social issues, with the 32-year-old being a prominent advocate for climate change action (pictured with his wife Becky)
Origin Energy logos will be printed on the Australia team's jerseys for the upcoming Ashes series
However, the fast bowler is supportive of the new joint venture.
‘Through Cricket for Climate, we’ve been working to future-proof local clubs with solar, battery and education solutions,’ Cummins said following the announcement on Monday.
‘This partnership between Cricket Australia and Origin will help us take that mission further, bringing clean energy solutions to community cricket right across the country, like our recently announced partnership with Blacktown City Council (and Origin).
‘I’m pleased Origin has chosen to support Australian cricket.’
Interestingly, Cricket For Climate has been working with an offshoot of Origin Energy, Origin Zero, for a year and a half. Origin Zero works to help businesses reduce their bills and lower their carbon footprint. Origin's new deal with Cricket Australia is understood to have come about independently from Cummins’ relationship with the company.
As part of Origin’s Climate Action Transition Plan, the company has a target to be net zero by 2050.
Cummins has previously clapped back against those who have branded him ‘woke’, claiming the comments didn't faze him.
‘I usually get “Captain Planet”,’ he said back in 2023. ‘A few mates say that.'
Cummins has previously clapped back against those who have branded him ‘woke’, claiming the comments didn't faze him
He added: ‘In the climate space, I’ve tried to change a few things in my life. It’s a really divisive topic – and I can’t understand why.
‘We’ve all got one planet, if you think you can do one thing better, that’s a good thing. Doesn’t mean you have to live in a cabin in the woods to care about the environment.’
Cummins had also previously told ABC that the taunts ‘emboldened him’ to be more outspoken and stay strong.
‘You know, if I don't stay strong in this and I pander to a loud minority, that's not a good thing,’
Cummins’ side will now have an Origin Energy logo printed on their shirts for the upcoming Ashes series.
Origin will join Cricket Australia's platinum partners, NRMA Insurance, KFC and Toyota, with Westpac, the governing body's principal partner, printing its iconic red 'W' on the front of the Baggy Greens' shirts.
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said: ‘We’re delighted to partner with Origin for the next three years and that they will be key supporters of our national teams and the Big Bash Leagues.
‘We’re particularly pleased Origin’s involvement with the game will extend to community cricket with their contribution to the Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund, providing energy solutions and potential savings for local clubs.
‘Origin joins Australia’s national sport during the biggest international season in our history and their commitment to cricket will help us grow the game further.
‘We share Origin’s passion for innovation, and we support Origin’s ambition to lead the way in providing cleaner energy and giving the very best experiences to its customers.’
