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Pat Cummins has emphatically declared there are no cowards in the Australian cricket team, admitting his disappointment over the Justin Langer podcast saga that is overshadowing the start of the Test summer.
Key points:
- Pat Cummins thanked Justin Langer for clarifying his "cowards" comments about some Australian players
- Cummins says he is "really proud" of how the players have performed and carried themselves in the past 12 months
- The first Test against the West Indies in Perth begins on Wednesday
Speaking for the first time since Langer attracted front-and-back-page headlines last week, Cummins also made clear he would never air the details of private conversations in public.
The Australia captain's comments came just one day out from the first Test against West Indies, with below-average crowds expected in Langer's home town of Perth on Wednesday.
Australia will field their regular home line-up, with Josh Hazlewood the only man to come in from the team that faced Sri Lanka in Galle in July.
The hosts will also start the battle for the Frank Worrell Trophy as hot favourites, with West Indies having not won a Test in Australia since 1996-97.
But with little fanfare or promotion around Perth, much of the focus remains on what reception Australia will receive in what is likely to be a largely empty Perth Stadium.
Cummins on Tuesday made a point to acknowledge Langer had clarified several of his comments, including claiming he was not referring to players when he said those who leaked to the media were "cowards".
"There are no cowards in the Australian cricket team, not ever," Cummins said.
"I thank Justin for clarifying his remarks afterwards.
"He had a think about it and clarified it, so I thank him for that.
"But we're really proud of the last 12 months, how we've fronted up, the way we've played, the way we've conducted ourselves.
"Players can certainly hold their heads high."
Cummins also said he did not believe the team was on the nose with the Australian public, pointing to crowds throughout the recent Twenty20 World Cup.
But there is little question that there is strong support for Langer in Perth.
In his podcast interview released last week, the former national coach also lamented a lack of direct feedback from players, including Cummins and Aaron Finch, late during his tenure.
Those comments, in particular, drew the ire of Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley, who issued a statement standing by the players.
"I'd probably never disclose private conversations, but you'd have to ask Justin," Cummins said.
"There's no ill will to what he was trying to do and he clarified afterwards.
"I feel like there's so many good things going on at the moment, especially this Test team [being] number one in the world.
"It's disappointing sometimes the focus gets drawn to off-field issues but it hasn't really affected our team."
Meanwhile, Cummins defended his own image and rejected claims he had become "too woke" as Australia captain.
The skipper created headlines earlier this summer when he pulled out of ads for Alinta Energy given the team sponsor's carbon footprint.
Australia will also take a knee in this series alongside the West Indies in a push to highlight racial inequalities, an act adopted when the team played in the Caribbean last year.
"In this position, you're always going to upset people," he said.
"We're cricket players, but you can't leave your values at the door. People stand for different things.
"Taking a knee this week, we're doing it out of respect for the West Indies, in support of equality.
"Anyone who says that's a bad thing, I'm not too bothered about."
When does the first Test start?
The first ball will be bowled in Perth at 1:20pm AEDT on Wednesday.
You can tune in to Grandstand's live radio commentary from 12:30pm AEDT, or watch the game on Channel Seven or Fox Sports.
AAP