Being captain of the world cricket Test and 50-over champions has its perks, like receiving an invitation to the Royal Box at Wimbledon.
Thus while India brought home the T20 World Cup to a crowd of thousands thronging the streets of Mumbai, Pat Cummins got over Australia’s early exit in the Caribbean by watching tennis at the fabled Centre Court.
While most of his compatriots, led by Alex de Minaur, were slogging it out on the outside courts, Cummins was enjoying a star-studded line-up that included a trio of champions — Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek and Andy Murray.
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Cummins’ wife Becky was alongside the Australia skipper.
Perhaps appropriately, with the destroyer of so many English sporting dreams in the house, it was a bad day for the locals.
Scotsman Murray, at his last Wimbledon, was playing with brother Jamie against Australian duo John Peers and Rinky Hijikata.
Despite huge support for the Murray brothers from the crowd, the Aussies won this tennis ‘Ashes clash’ in straight sets.
Djokovic was also playing a Brit, qualifier Jacob Fearnley, and dispatched him in four sets.
Cummins’ appearance – suited, booted and wearing shades – brought much admiration on social media, including suggestions he should be the next James Bond.
“Bond James Bond,” one fan commented on X (formerly Twitter).
While the ABC social media account asked: “They cast the new James Bond yet?”
Maybe that was something he could discuss with survivalist Bear Grylls, who was also in the box, as was Britain’s former Olympic middle-distance champion Seb Coe, now president of World Athletics, who was seated in the row in front.
While the Princess of Wales was not there, her parents, Michael and Carole Middleton were also some of the recognisable faces in the box.