Pat Cummins faces backlash for attending concert after missing series decider

Australia's ODI series loss to Pakistan has sparked controversy, particularly over captain Pat Cummins' decision to attend a Coldplay concert in Sydney after being rested for the crucial series-decider in Perth on November 10.

Despite Australia's defeat by eight wickets, which handed Pakistan a historic 2-1 series win—the first time they’ve claimed an ODI series on Australian soil in 22 years—Cummins and several other senior players were notably absent due to a planned rest ahead of the upcoming Test series against India.

Cummins' absence, along with the omission of Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Marnus Labuschagne, was part of a strategy to manage the players' workload before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22.

However, the decision to rest key players, especially during a decider with the series on the line, has drawn heavy criticism.

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke voiced his displeasure on the Big Sports Breakfast radio show, questioning why the top players couldn't participate in the ODI, given there was a nearly two-week gap before the Test series.

"With 11 days until the first Test, why couldn’t these guys play in the one-day game?" Clarke asked, expressing frustration at what he saw as a lack of commitment to the ODI series.

The criticism intensified when Pat Cummins' wife, Becky, shared a photo from the Coldplay concert on social media, showing the couple enjoying the show on the same night Australia suffered a heavy defeat.

Former rugby players Mat Rogers and Scott Sattler, discussing the incident on SEN radio, slammed the decision to share the moment online.

Rogers said, "It was a decider, the one that really matters, and our captain went to a Coldplay concert. If you're going to do it, just keep a low profile." Sattler added, "Why put the photo on social media? Don’t do that."

Despite the backlash, former Test captain Tim Paine defended the decision to rest the senior players, urging critics to understand that Australia was experimenting with younger players in the ODI series.

"We’re blooding some youth and giving them experience while the big boys get ready for the Test series," Paine said, urging fans and media to "pump the brakes" on their criticism.

The ODI series defeat to Pakistan came after Australia won the first game in Melbourne but lost the subsequent matches in Adelaide and Perth.

Notably, none of the Australian batters managed a half-century in the series, adding to the disappointment of the loss. In contrast, Pakistan, led by Mohammad Rizwan, capitalized on Australia’s weakened lineup to secure their first-ever series win on Australian soil in 22 years.

While the Coldplay concert has taken the spotlight, the broader conversation continues around the decision to prioritize Test preparations over ODI competition and the team’s overall performance.