Pat Cummins is a great communicator, relationship builder and cares for teammates: SRH coach Simon Helmot | Cricket News

Pat Cummins is an un-archetypal Australian captain. He plays with a smile on his face, deflects praise onto his fellow players, shies away from the limelight and is modest to a fault. But he shapes big moments, comes up with match-turning and series-defining performances. For example, the MCG Test seemed heading India’s way on the fourth day afternoon, with Australia at 91/6, when he struck a valuable 41, to go with his 49 in the first dig. He claimed six wickets in the game, set attacking fields, made left-field changes like introducing part-timer Travis Head, who dismissed Rishabh Pant, and bowled with intensity and ingenuity as always.
Be it in the Ashes, the WTC final or the World Cup, or the IPL he has the knack of preserving his best for clutch moments. Sunrisers Hyderabad’s assant coach Simon Helmot tells The Indian Express about Cummins the captain, bowler, tactician and thinker.
Australia has a rich heritage of captains. Where do you think Cummins stand among them?
It’s difficult to make comparisons. All you can judge a captain on is his success. Pat had lots of success already. It is also what players say about you. Every single person in that dressing room has great respect and love for him. That’s a testament to Pat, the way he respects people and is so inclusive. He empowers others. He respects the Australian team. He understands that captaining Australia is a legacy.
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins reacts after bowling a delivery during play on the third day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia. (AP)
Usually, we don’t see many fast bowling captains. How does he deal with it?
He is organised and calm. He is clear on his plans and processes. So the fact that he’s a bowler and captain makes no difference. For us at the Sunrisers, he has a great relationship with Dan Vettori. So they’re clear on their plans and communication. So much of the strategy and information sharing is done before the game. When it comes to match day, Pat’s got a good understanding of the match-ups. He also has a great feel for the game, a terrific game understanding. The strategy and preparation in place, Pat is excellent at executing that.
Is he someone who goes data or instinct?
He takes all the data analytics and extra information from coaches and others to ensure he’s got everything he requires to make the best on-ground decisions possible at the time. So there are some specific plans and match-ups and situations that we try to control. As we know, in the game that doesn’t always work like that. So Pat’s clever in understanding when to make decisions according to the situation. But he ensures that he’s gathered all the information. Whether that’s about talking to the data analyst or the coaches. Pat’s greatest attribute is he’s a really good communicator with his players. So the role definitions and people understanding what the strategy is, he is clear on that.
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins, third left , and his teammates wait for the start of play on the third day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia. (AP)
With Australia, almost everyone is quite experienced but for SRH, there were a lot of youngsters in the 2024 season. How was his communication with them?
It’s all done through conversations, getting to know his players, and developing relationships. Pat really cares for his teammates and makes sure they feel as calm and ready to perform their roles as they can. But the preparation side is critical, and Pat invests his time on that. Both he and Vettori are good at understanding what the team needs and what the players require before a match. We (SRH) work together to ensure the players are as relaxed and ready as possible.
Have you seen any specific difference between him dealing with experienced players and youngsters?
Not particularly. Pat has a good understanding of those players who are comfortable and have experience in playing their role. Like Travis Head, who understands his role. Whereas you have a player like Nitish Reddy, who you may have to give more guidance and backing. But what Pat does is if you’re in his team, he will back you, trust you and give you all the support required. That’s probably one of Pat’s greatest attributes.
How does he pick himself up and the team from setbacks?
He is calm, consent, and not overly emotional. He will remind players if they need to improve or if they need to maybe (step) up for a contest. Whether we win or lose, he is still the same person and that’s probably one of his greatest attributes. For him, it’s about making sure we trust the game plan and the players we pick to execute it. Whether we win or lose, that’s absolutely fine. That is where he starts and stops. To make sure we all know our game plan. Let’s play it as best as we possibly can. The result side of it will look after itself.
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins, right, bowls a delivery to India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal during play on the second day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia. (AP)
How does he separate captaincy from bowling?
He has a great amount of self-confidence and has a really good understanding of what he needs to do to prepare and perform. He’s the ultimate competitor. Get him in a contest and he wants to win. Pat will often bowl the toughest over. He has a clear understanding of how important his leadership is.
Cummins often talks about giving freedom to the players instead of fitting them into a team ethos or culture. What does it mean?
What he reminds us is that players get to a certain level because they possess a certain number of skills and perform in such a way which has allowed them to get into a team. So Pat doesn’t want to change people. He wants to allow people to express themselves in what they do. We’ve seen this recently with Sam Konstas. He wants him to go out and play. It’s like playing in the backyard. Go and play mate, express yourself. Put pressure on the opposition. He doesn’t add pressure. He tries to take pressure off players and allow them to express themselves, to play fearlessly, to showcase the skills that have got them to where they are now.
Aussie Skipper Pat Cummins says this game is ‘Right at the top’ of his career (Reuters)
Regardless of his performances, there is always criticism and mixed opinions on him as a bowler and captain. How does he deal with it?
Pat’s about playing the best for his team and for his country or for SRH, to be the best captain that he can be and to be the best support he can be for his players. Pat’s a great relationship builder, whether it be with support staff, coaches or players, or adminration. He’s an honest person, who has a great rapport with everyone around him. He makes the environment calm. He’s aware that there can be commentary outside. But he doesn’t pay much attention. He pays attention to those who are going to make the team good. Those who can help make the team perform to be the best. I think we saw that with the Sunrisers this year after we had a disappointing season before (finished 10th in the 2023 season) to reach the final.

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