Australia’s skipper Pat Cummins’ mother passed away on Friday after battling a prolonged illness. The oncologist who was treating Cummins’ mother, Maria came up with an emotional note post her death. Nicholas Wilcken appreciated Maria and her husband Peter for keeping calm in a complicated situation, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.


“Grace under pressure’ is an easy phrase — and not that it doesn’t mean anything — but Maria was more than that. Somehow she was even stronger after setbacks, had that poise, never complained. When she came into my clinic room with Peter, I could never really tell just how tough (or not) she was doing it,” wrote Wilcken.


As per reports, Maria was battling breast cancer since 2005. Cummins had flown home post the Delhi Test to be with his mother who was in palliative care. In his absence, Steve Smith took the charge as the skipper of the Australian side.


Maria’s doctor further added, “Lastly, it all got difficult. I don’t want to go into that. Except to say that Maria was in charge the whole way through. I have no idea how I will negotiate that phase of life myself, but I was very happy to watch her and I learnt a lot.


“Farewell, my friend. You were dealt a crappy hand of cards, but we got together, we played it as well as we could. There were lots of good times, especially with Peter. I learnt from you. I still do Wordle every night. You are a champion.”


Both Cricket Australia and the BCCI issued statements on Friday, with the Australian team declaring that they will be wearing black armbands to honour Cummins’ mom.


“We are deeply saddened at the passing of Maria Cummins overnight. On behalf of Australian Cricket, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Pat, the Cummins family and their friends,” a statement from CA stated.


“On behalf of Indian Cricket, we express our sadness at the passing away of Pat Cummins's mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family in this difficult period,” the BCCI wrote.


Currently, India are locking horns against Australia in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Ahmedabad. The first two days belonged to Australia as they posted a huge total of 480 runs, with Usman Khwaja hitting 180 runs and Cameron Green getting his first Test century. Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy also stitched a 70-run partnership for the ninth wicket and helped his side post a massive total against the Indians.