School’s out and Kids News is taking a summer holiday too

It’s been a huge year for everyone but summer holidays are here at last – hip, hip hooray!

Kids News is taking some time off to enjoy the school break too.

We’ll be back in the New Year reporting daily news for kids when classes resume.

We hope you have a relaxing, happy time whether you are holidaying at home or away.

In the meantime, enjoy Kids News editor Diana Jenkins’ exclusive Q&A with Australian Test Cricket Captain Pat Cummins, whose Howzat Pat children’s book series makes for the perfect holiday read once you’ve come inside to cool off after a hot day at the beach or on the pitch.

Enjoy!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, have a great break and stay safe,

The Kids News team

WELCOME TO KIDS NEWS HQ, CAPTAIN PAT!

DJ: What have you learnt from playing professional cricket that you wish you’d known as a child and what are your top training tips?

PC: My career has taught me that success is not just about performing well, both in cricket and in other parts of your life. It’s also about how you handle challenges, foster team culture, and manage both your physical and mental wellbeing. It’s important not to forget to have fun and enjoy the time with your friends on and off the field.

Top training tips for a fast bowler revolve around creating a balance between physical conditioning, mental focus, injury prevention and good nutrition and health.

DJ: Who inspired you the most when you were a kid and why?

PC: My mum and dad were wonderful role models. They were always very clearly focused on what was important – consideration for family, friends and the community – and keeping those values in mind as we went about our daily lives.

DJ:There’s a saying “never meet your heroes” – what are your thoughts about that?

PC: I’m not sure I agree with that sentiment; for me it’s been a positive and inspiring experience.

As a teenager, I met some of the Aussie cricketers at a Speed Blitz Blues event and at the time I thought these guys were superstars. As I got older I realised they were actually pretty normal people, but you don’t always realise that when you’ve looked up to someone for a long time.

DJ: You’ve got your work cut out in the current five-Test series against India. Australia hasn’t beaten India in a series for a decade. You’ve led Australia to some massive wins but how much would it mean to win this one?

PC: Test Cricket challenges you in every aspect more than any other format. There is always of level of unpredictability whenever the Australia and India teams meet, and we know it’s going to be a tough series! However, we always play to win and we’d love to take this trophy for this generation of Aussie cricketers.

DJ: How do you deal with losses and disappointments, especially when it’s all happening in the public eye?

PC: I don’t let negativity distract me and appreciate the importance of keeping things in perspective, good or bad. People always have something to say, particularly when things don’t go according to plan. The players and coaching group are the ones who really know what’s going on and are also the ones with the most to win or lose during matches and tournaments. It gives me real clarity and a sense of calm that unless you’ve really got skin in the game it’s hard to have a strong opinion that’s going to be accurate.

DJ:Did you always dream of the baggy green or did you have different ambitions as a kid?

PC: It might be hard to believe, but growing up I never imagined I would play for Australia. When we were kids all we wanted to do was to play cricket in the backyard after school, on the weekends and any chance we had during the school holidays. When I think about playing backyard cricket with my brothers, it always makes me happy.

DJ:What were your favourite subjects in school and what did you struggle with?

PC: My favourite subjects were maths, business and, of course, sport. My least favourite was languages. I’m sure if I lived in a community that spoke another language I would pick it up, but studying a language at school just didn’t work for me.

DJ: What’s something funny or unusual about you that kids and other fans wouldn’t know?

PC: It’s more commonly known these days, but I lost the top of the middle finger of my right hand when I was four due to a freak accident at home. On occasion I have young fans who write and tell me they had a similar accident, and they too hope they will still be able to bowl a decent ball.

DJ: What posters did you have in your room when you were growing up and what music did you listen to?

PC: I had a Warnie poster, he was an all-time great and a once-in-a-century kind cricketer, and we all grew up idolising him. He was quite the showman.

Mum and Dad were huge Bruce Springsteen fans so we grew up listening to the Boss, whether it was at home, in the car going to cricket practice, or on holidays – any time really!

DJ: How does the Howzat Pat book collaboration work and what do you hope kids get out of reading the books?

PC: I spent a lot of time with Dave Hartley, who wrote the books, talking about my childhood; everything from my love of cricket and our family dynamics, to what it was like to have to move to a totally new place and make friends.

We also discussed the kinds of values I wanted kids to take from the book – those I learnt from my parents about care and respect for your family and community, and the importance of looking after the natural environment.

I also thought it was valuable that the stories reflected what you can learn from cricket about mateship, teamwork and what makes a good leader.

I hope that kids take away some good life lessons from the book and that they enjoy the humour and adventure. It’s great fun being a kid.