The controversy surrounding Justin Langer refuses to sleep. Whether it is his penchant to be in the news all the time or does controversy follow him whatever he does is not really clear but it looks like he rather enjoys to be in the middle of a storm. Ever since Australia lost their home series to India, Australian cricket did not settle down until the 2021 Ashes. Most of the topic revolved around Langer. The players unhappy with him, he was overbearing and does not tolerate failure all kinds of things. Cricket Australia infact had a discussion with him where they told him to tone down his rhetoric and take a back seat. It seemed to work well with the World T20 success and then the Ashes triumph. Now, a controversy regarding him contract extension has erupted.
Langer was expected to reapply
Cricket Australia are in the process of appointing a coach for the Australian men. They have a process that everyone needs to follow. Accordingly, Justin Langer the current coach is required to reapply for the role. If reports are to be believed Justin Langer was furious when he was asked to reapply. The meeting between Langer, Cricket Australia’s CEO Nick Hockley and high performance manager Ben Oliver were not cordial to say the least. It has left Cricket Australia quite embarrassed and thereby diminishing Langer’s chances.
There is a section within Cricket Australia that wants Langer to be relieved so that the renewal process that began with Pat Cummins being appointed as the captain and CA is expected to appoint a new chairman can continue in full earnest. After all the controversies surrounding Langer, he could have chosen to leave as a hero after the twin success of World T20 and The Ashes but he has chosen to continue.
Langer’s future as the coach of the Australia side following the Ashes has been the hot topic for awhile in Australian cricket. The point of contention is that Cricket Australia wants to sign a short term contract with Langer and he does not seem to be happy with that.
Cricket Australia have rejected the rumours
However, Cricket Australia has rejected that the meeting the accusation. They have said that there were a number of inaccuracies in the report that has come out.
“While we do not comment on confidential conversations, we felt on this occasion it was important to correct the record,” a statement said.
“Among other false claims, we reject outright the assertion that the meeting was fiery or heated and that Justin was asked to reapply for his job.
Michael Vaughan and Damien Martyn have come out in support of Langer.
“If it’s true the Coach of Australia has to reapply for his position when he has taken them to No 1 Test team in the World & the T20 World Cup champs in the last few months .. the landscape for success has hugely changed … Isn’t it about Winning ?? !!!,” he posted on Twitter.
Infact, Vaughan has gone onto suggest that ECB must hire Langer
“Gary Kirsten would be a great candidate as well, but if you want one person to come in with a huge point to prove, then it is Langer. He is an Ashes winner, T20 World Cup winner, and knows everything about playing in Australia. Just go get him. This England Test team needs some tough love. Joe Root needs a forceful coach next to him too.”
I don’t see that happening because Langer is a proud Aussie and he will be loathe to assist the old enemy against his country.
Respective captains are not prepared to endorse Langer
Tim Paine was a big supporter of Justin Langer. However, he is not around the scene anymore and he is unlikely to comeback into the team. He was replaced by Pat Cummins as the captain of the test side and Finch will lead the white ball team. Both Cummins and Finch have stopped short of endorsing Langer.
“It lies in Cricket Australia’s hands. JL has been doing a fantastic job. He has been there for four years,” Cummins told reporters on Thursday. “His contract is obviously up soon. So they’re just going through an evaluation process at the moment which I think is fair and the right thing to do.
“We all get evaluated all the time as cricketers, it’s part of a high-performance environment.”
Conclusion to Langer back in the news
If both the captains is not categorical about Langer staying on, it is almost a foregone conclusion that Langer will not enjoy a longer reign provided his contract is extended. Langer, who wants to stay as the coach for a very long long time perhaps will have to gracefully step aside. The entire team was against Langer’s style of functioning just a few months ago. Things have settled down after that with Andrew McDonald taking charge and Langer directing from behind. It is quite rosy for Australia now but the simmering tensions will come to the surface once the team starts to lose a few games.
It may very well happen in a couple of months when Australia travels to Pakistan. This year will be as difficult for Australia as it can be with tours to Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India. They have not done well in Asia over the last 20 years. Tensions will raise and the old Langer may even come to the fore.
After such an acrimonious last few months, it will be difficult for Langer to gain the respect of the players and for the players to trust their coach completely. Langer must stop being adamant and must learn to let go. If he does not do so, Cricket Australia is likely to be forced to do so in a few months time. Cricket Australia must decide which is better. Whether to search for a new coach in a few months if things starts to boil or continue with the renewal process by appointing a new head coach who will work well with the players. It is a tough situation for CA to find themselves in and that too after such a successful few months.