As the third Ashes Test prepares to begin in Adelaide, the focus has briefly shifted beyond cricket. The tragic terror attack at Bondi beach has cast a long shadow, and for Australia captain Pat Cummins, it struck painfully close to home.
The events unfolded just kilometres from Cummins’ home in Bronte on Sunday night. Like millions across the country, he watched the news in disbelief — but for him, the shock was deeply personal.
“Like most other Aussies and people around the world, I was horrified watching on,” Cummins said. “We’d just put the kids to bed and flicked on the news as it was coming through. My wife and I were just sitting there in disbelief.
“It’s a place that’s just around the corner from where we live. We take the kids there all the time. It really hit home pretty hard. We feel so deeply for the Bondi community and the Jewish community in particular.”
England captain Ben Stokes echoed those sentiments, describing the silence that fell over his team as the news broke.
“We were all sat in the team room when it came on the TV,” Stokes said. “There was just silence. It was awful to watch unfold. It’s incredibly sad — for Australia, for Sydney, and for the world.
“When things like that happen, it puts everything into perspective. Our hearts go out to everyone affected. It’s a horrible thing to see.”
The Adelaide Test will be the first major sporting event held since the attack, and both teams will honour the victims before the first ball is bowled. Players will wear black armbands, flags at Adelaide Oval will fly at half-mast, and a moment’s silence will precede the start of play.
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said the sport had a responsibility to help bring people together in moments like this.
“This is a tragic time for all Australians,” Greenberg said. “The thoughts of everyone in the cricket world are with the victims, their families, friends, and the Jewish community.
“While sport can seem insignificant at times like this, it also gives us a rare opportunity to bring millions together — to reflect, to support, and to think about what we want our nation to be.”
Big Bash League fixtures in Sydney will proceed as scheduled this week, with the Sixers and Thunder games including formal recognition of the victims and those affected. Cricket NSW confirmed additional safety and access measures will be in place.
South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens also reassured fans attending the Adelaide Test that there is no increased threat level, despite a visible security presence.
“There’s no intelligence suggesting heightened risk around the cricket or other community events,” Stevens said. “But we’ll apply an appropriate level of diligence so people can attend with confidence and feel safe.”
As the Ashes resume, the cricket will matter again — but first, the game will pause, acknowledge the loss, and stand in quiet solidarity.
