Captain Climate: Australian media coverage of Pat Cummins' climate change advocacy.

This article examines Australian media coverage and framing of Pat Cummins, captain of the Australian men's national cricket team, in relation to his climate change advocacy from 2022 to 2023. Using content analysis grounded in framing theory and the protest paradigm, the study found that media coverage predominantly employed "debate" frames focusing on the issues of climate change and athlete advocacy, rather than "spectacle" or negative protest frames. However, coverage was largely individual-centric, emphasizing Cummins himself over the broader climate movement. The analysis also identified a notable shift during late 2022 when Cummins refused to appear in advertisements for Alinta Energy, a major team sponsor, which coincided with increased debate framing and heightened moral and economic considerations in the media discourse. These findings highlight evolving media approaches to athlete eco-advocacy and contribute to understanding the intersection of sports, climate activism, and public communication in Australia.