THE SQUIZ
Aussie men’s Test cricket captain Pat Cummins added the one-day international cricket captaincy to his CV yesterday. And as he fronted the media, he denied reports he’d pressured Cricket Australia to cancel a $40 million sponsorship deal with power company Alinta Energy. The company will not extend the relationship when it runs out in June next year. Cummins is known for his environmental advocacy, including his Cricket for Climate, and reports said he’d raised “ethical concerns” over Alinta’s coal-fired power plants. Cummins says he didn’t pressure officials, but he did own up to holding views about the sport’s commercial partnerships and won’t feature in any ads for Alinta over the summer. “It is a balance when you make decisions about who you are going to welcome into the cricket family,” he said. And cricket hasn’t been the only sport caught up in controversy this week…

OOH, DO TELL…
Some players with the Diamonds – Australia’s netball side – don’t want Hancock Prospecting’s logo on their official kit over concerns about the company’s record on Indigenous and environmental issues. It’s a big deal because the sport is in $7 million of debt, and rich-lister Gina Reinhart’s injection of $15 million over 4 years would help with their financial woes. Reinhart’s company sponsors several other sports, including Volleyball Australia, which has released a statement criticising the Diamonds’ stance. Marina Go was the chair of Netball Australia – she stepped out of that position this week as the pressure built, although there were denials it was because of this issue. Diamonds captain Liz Watson said she hopes it will be sorted out soon.

WHAT NOW?
It’s on with the game… Tonight, Australia take on the Kiwi Silver Ferns in game 3 of the Constellation Cup. The Aussie women need a win tonight and in Sunday’s closing match after losing the first 2 of the 4 game series. As for the cricket, the big thing is the Men’s T20 World Cup that’s being hosted here in Oz and kicked off on the weekend. FYI Pat Cummins does not captain that side – that’s Aaron Finch’s job. Australia plays its first game against New Zealand in Sydney on Saturday.