The Australian cricket board accepted the resignation of head coach Justin Langer last week. Justin Langer also got a short extension at the end of his coaching tenure but he chose to step aside. Pat Cummins spoke out about his role in Justin Langer’s departure as a coach. Also, he believes Australia needed to change course.
Several of Langer’s former teammates, notably Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, and Mitchell Johnson, have harshly criticized CA and Cummins for their treatment of the ex-coach. Cummins responded to the saga in a statement sent on his behalf by Cricket Australia.
Cummins announced during the press conference that he, his teammates, and other staff had told him that a calmer, certainly more “collaborative” approach was in need than Langer could convey. He accepted that Langer’s style improved during his tenure, but claimed that CA didn’t reckon the shift was long-lasting.
Cummins’ statement
“Many former players have reached out to me and silently offered me their advice, which is welcome. Some others have spoken in the media – which is also welcome and comes from a love of the game and their support of a mate. To all past players, I want to say this: Just as you have always stuck up for your mates, I’m sticking up for mine,” Cummins said in his statement. He released it one hour prior to speaking to the media on Wednesday.
“There has been much public comment since Justin Langer’s resignation as coach of the Australian cricket team. For good reason, I have not made a public comment before today. Now that a decision has been made by Justin to resign and given his own public comments and others by Cricket Australia, I can provide some clarity,” he added.
In his statement, Cummins further said: “Justin has acknowledged his style was intense. He has apologized to players and staff for his intensity and I think the apology was unnecessary because the players were okay with JL’s intensity. His intensity was not the issue for the players and support staff. To be better players of Australia, from this solid foundation, we need a new style of coaching and skill set.”
“This was the feedback the players gave to Cricket Australia and it is the feedback I understand the support staff also gave. CA has made a brave call to transition, given the team has been winning. I take this responsibility seriously. I live and breathe it. We also have a duty to our mates,” he added.
Cummins applauded Langer for instilling high ideals in the team
Moreover, Cummins applauded Langer for instilling high ideals in the team. But he didn’t believe the coach should have been alarmed when he was downgraded. Former Australia bowler Mitchell Johnson slammed Cummins’ statement, calling him “gutless” and acknowledging that the Test captain is conspiring to bring down his coach.
After the Sandpaper Gate scandal, which resulted in one-year bans for David Warner and Steve Smith, Langer was put on board as the men’s team coach in 2018. Australia won the T20 World Cup in 2021 and thereafter the Ashes under Langer’s leadership.
Justin Langer’s batsmanship has already amassed him a position in Australian cricket’s Hall of Fame. From 1993 to 2007, he played in 105 Tests, averaging 45.27 and scoring 7,696 runs, including 23 centuries. Justin Langer was a part of an all-conquering Australian cricket team. It encompassed Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath, and Ricky Ponting.