Australia’s climate-crusading cricket captain Pat Cummins objected to a $40million sponsorship take care of an influence company despite flying firstclass and driving considered one of the world’s highest polluting luxury vehicles.
Cummins was reportedly so concerned about Alinta Energy’s parent company, Pioneer Sail Holdings, being considered one of the country’s biggest carbon emitters that he shared his ‘ethical concerns’ with Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley.
‘More so than ever before you are seeing players’ personalities and interests and passions shine through and have a bit more of a say than possibly previously,’ Cummins boasted to Nine Newspapers on Tuesday.
Cummins’ stance, which was quickly slammed by 2GB’s Ben Fordham and One Nation’s Mark Latham, emerged after it was announced that Alinta’s four-year take care of Cricket Australia will only be renewed for yet another season.
Alinta received a dismal 2 out of 5 stars on this yr’s Green Electricity Guide, as a result of their plan to burn coal to 2047, the local environmental harm they cause and their rating as Australia’s seventh biggest polluter.
Australian Test and ODI cricket captain Pat Cummins (pictured with partner Becky Boston) went into bat against Cricket Australia’s biggest sponsor Alinta Energy
Cummins (pictured in December 2021) has been photographed driving a Range Rover, thought to be considered one of the world’s most carbon polluting SUVs
‘I believe essentially the most obvious, front-of-mind things you may see is who we partner with. So I hope that when we expect of who we would like to align with, who we would like to ask into being a part of cricket, I hope climate is an actual priority,’ Cummins said.
‘I’ve got my very own personal views so relating to personal sponsorships there are some firms I would not wish to align with. Once we’re getting money, whether it’s programs for junior cricket, grassroots, things for fans around Australia, I feel an actual responsibility that with that, we’re doing on balance what’s the correct thing.’
Cummins’ comments are in stark contrast to his high-flying carbon-emitting lifestyle which incorporates flying firstclass and driving luxury vehicles known for his or her environmental damage.
The poster boy of Australian cricket once uploaded an image of himself in first-class travel despite a 2013 World Bank study finding the carbon footprint of first-class air passengers was as much as seven times larger than those in economy.
Cummins has also been photographed driving a Range Rover which the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy listed in 2020 as considered one of the 12 environmentally ‘meanest’ rides on the road as a result of its carbon emissions.
The fast bowler’s comments have sparked massive outrage and are available after the Australian Diamonds netballers recently refused to wear a team uniform emblazoned with the brand of mining magnate Gina Rinehart’s company – Hancock Prospecting.
2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham weighed into the saga, saying sport and politics don’t mix.
He suggested Cummins persist with being a world-class bowler as an alternative of telling Cricket Australia’s marketing department tips on how to do its job.
‘The concept that the national captain is personally lobbying for his boss to cancel a $40 million sponsorship deal is just absolutely crazy,’ Fordham told listeners.
‘It’s an influence company- not an outlaw bikie gang!’
Fordham said he was not suggesting sports stars take a vow of silence but said they should be careful what ground they campaign on.
‘No industry is immune from criticism,’ he ended his rant.
‘Banks, insurance, mining firms, fast food, soft drink, alcohol, gambling, media firms.
‘Should you put a line through all of them… there will likely be no sponsors left!’
Australia’s leading fast bowler has previously been pictured having fun with the perks of flying firstclass and here testing the business class beds on a Qantas A380
Cummins told Cricket Australia’s CEO Nick Hockley that Alinta Energy doesn’t align along with his personal views
One Nation NSW leader Mark Latham pointed Cummins featured in an Alinta Energy TV promoting campaign for his or her call centres, where he answered a phone call while doing yoga.
‘Wasn’t Pat Cummins within the Alinta Energy promoting campaign?’ he captioned the ad.
Other critics, including Fordham, also identified that Alinta put its status on the road when the corporate signed on as Cricket Australia’s principal partner in 2018.
Australian cricket was in considered one of its darkest periods on the time within the wake of the ball-tampering saga in South Africa.
Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera taking sandpaper to the ball on the behest of David Warner and with then captain Steve Smith’s knowledge.
The trio’s crude attempt at cheating led to suspensions for the players and the resignations of coach Darren Lehmann and CA chief executive James Sutherland.
