‘Confidential discussions’ to take place with Langer after board meeting

The public relations disaster around Justin Langer’s tenure as national men’s coach continues after Cricket Australia failed to announce a resolution late on Friday.

Instead Cricket Australia released a statement following an all-day board meeting saying there was “significant discussions about men’s head coach Justin Langer’s contract”.

“We will now enter into confidential discussions with Justin and the outcome will be announced as soon as possible.

“We have no further comment until then.”

Langer’s reappointment appears unlikely after team leaders and senior players consistently failed to support an extension of his current four-year contract, which ends in June.

Discussions between Langer and Cricket Australia heavies about his future may be long range, with Langer flying home to Perth on Saturday.

Western Australia’s harsh quarantine regulations have kept him away from his family since late September last year. He will be forced to spend two weeks in home isolation.

Whether Langer leaves Perth again later this month to help guide Australia on its first tour of Pakistan in almost 24 years is expected to depend on whether he retains the coaching position.

Rubber-stamped by Friday’s board meeting, the tour of three Tests, three one-day matches and a Twenty20 international runs from late February to early April – well within Langer’s existing contract.

However sources with knowledge of the situation have told the Herald and The Age that unless Langer is reappointed he will not tour.

Senior assistant coach Andrew McDonald, who has played a leading role with the team over the past six months, would be nominally in charge of the coaching staff.

McDonald was due to take an Australian Twenty20 team to New Zealand at the same time as the Pakistan tour but a tightening of New Zealand quarantine regulations has prevented the tour from going ahead.

McDonald and Michael Di Venuto have been running training since Langer was forced to take a back seat following a player and support staff mutiny last August about Langer’s intense and volatile micromanagement style.

While Langer claims he has changed, the attitude of team leaders and senior players clearly hasn’t. They praise Langer for his standing in the game, but their diplomacy does not extend to calls for him to go on.

Test captain Pat Cummins made this clear again on Thursday.

“That’s Cricket Australia’s job, it’s not my job,” Cummins said when asked about Langer’s contract.

“There’s been a process, I’ve been part of that, a lot of other players have been part of that. It’s just like when we get evaluated.

“I’ve got huge respect for JL, I’ve really liked working with him, but it’s not my call.”

Cricket Australia is expected to announce an extended touring squad to Pakistan of as many as 17 in the coming days to ensure all bases are covered in case of a COVID-19 crisis.

While young fast bowler Jhye Richardson is not touring as part of a long-term management plan from Cricket Australia, the remainder of the Test players are expected to be available.

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