‘The community is crying out for authentic leadership’: Chairman Mike Baird goes in to bat for Cummins

About to become part of cricket history alongside Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and India’s Narendra Modi, it is fitting that Mike Baird’s first interview since becoming Cricket Australia chairman last month should be about leadership.

Baird is part of an official delegation which is expected to see a record 110,000 fans fill the cavernous Ahmedabad stadium, named after Modi, on the opening day of the fourth Test between India and Australia on Thursday.

Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird will be a guest with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the fourth Test cricket between India and Australia in AhmedabadCredit:AP

Delighted to be part of an occasion where cricket takes centre stage as part of the first meeting between the two Prime Ministers, Baird took the opportunity to highlight Australian captain Pat Cummins’ contribution as a leader on and off the field.

That leadership, Baird believes, extends to taking time away from the game to be with his seriously ill mother.

“In the last couple of weeks he’s shown Australia what’s really important, he’s role-modelled the values that we look to with those in positions of significant responsibility,” Baird told the Herald and The Age.

“Roles are important, responsibilities are important, but at times there are other things that take precedence. Being with your mum in her last days and weeks, there’s nothing more important, and nothing else matters.

“And I think we spend a lot of time losing sight of that important perspective. It’s just terrific that someone of Pat Cummins standing is showing to the country the importance of family and friends. I think that’s exactly what a leader does. He or she points to what’s important.”

One of the most substantive chairmen Cricket Australia have appointed, Baird is annoyed at what he sees as unfair criticism of Cummins and his strongly held views, particularly on climate change.

Pat CumminsCredit:Getty

“It’s really important that our leaders are authentic,” said Baird. “You don’t want to be in a position that they’re not being true to themselves, not following what they believe in, and I certainly think that’s exactly what a leader should do.

“Pat has strong views. There are different views in the community, but that’s fine. Pat has every right to be in that debate.

“It’s very rare to have someone with his capability and qualities. As a leader of Australian cricket, we’re very fortunate to have someone of his standing and character and I think he’s demonstrated the capacity to be a very successful Australian captain.

“Trials and tribulations are part of any leadership role. He’s shown he has the capacity to deal with them and bring his team with him. I think he’s incredibly well set out to be one of the most successful captains Australia’s had.

“I think the community is crying out for authentic leadership, and that’s exactly what Pat is giving us. He is a well-respected leader in Australia. And being true to himself, I think is exactly the right thing to be doing.”

Baird described as “amazing” Australia’s capacity to fight back and win the third Test so emphatically after heavy losses in the first two Tests.

Cricket Australia chairman Mike BairdCredit:Brook Mitchell

“The most remarkable thing on the tour has been the capacity to come back and win despite the challenges that we’re facing,” he said.

“What this team has shown is that they are a resilient group, they do have belief in themselves, and they can overcome adversity, all things I think Australians are looking for in their teams.

“We saw in that third Test, they lived every bit of that. And I know that people are proud of their performance, they should be in terms of historical significance, it (winning in India) has very rarely been done.”

Most Viewed in Sport

From our partners

Source: Read Full Article