Cricket chiefs seek to mend bridges over Langer exit

Australian cricket’s chief executives Nick Hockley and Todd Greenberg will reach out to a hurt, angry and embittered former player group to mend bridges between current and past cricketers, and also to fully explain the reasons why Justin Langer’s tenure as head coach has ended.

Hockley, CEO of Cricket Australia, and his Australian Cricketers Association counterpart Greenberg have not only watched the maelstrom of fiery responses to Langer’s resignation since it was announced on Saturday morning but also been targeted themselves by some of its more intemperate voices.

Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer.Credit:Reuters

Traditionally, past players have been brought together by the ACA for functions during home Test matches, but given the fact there will not be another at home until next summer, there’s acknowledgement that earlier opportunities may need to be found.

In particular, the generation of Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist and other members of what is arguably Australia’s best men’s team to date value frank, face-to-face communication. They have often spoken of the need, if carrying an injury, to look their captain in the eye and say they were fit to play.

Their perception of the lack of these frank discussions, irrespective of how long Langer and CA’s high-performance department had previously been handed feedback about the coach’s need to reduce his micromanagement or volatility, appears to be at the core of complaints about the coach’s treatment.

“There were very well-publicised issues in the middle of last year where there were some very frank and open conversations, and I encouraged the players at that time to have those open conversations with Justin,” Greenberg told SEN Radio. “I remember talking to Justin about it at that particular moment in time as well.

Justin Langer.Credit:Getty Images

“Certainly, I wasn’t surprised over the weekend by some of the former players’ comments. There’s a very tight group of boys there who’ve got great, strong friendships and mateships with each other. None of that would be surprising when one of their own is going through a difficult time.

“But I go back to this premise that the coaching structure and the people involved four years ago on the back of having to recreate the Australian brand, are probably different to what the requirements look like in the next four years. CA have thought carefully about that. People can be critical of that, but I think that’s how you’ve got to look through the lens.″⁣

The role of a cricket coach will be different depending on the team, but also depending on the level at which they play. Junior and development coaches have the capacity to wring huge improvements from cricketers as they learn and grow, and state coaches can help polish further.

At international level, however, marginal gains in technique or aptitude are widely considered secondary to tactical and environmental advantages – imparting good information in a sanctuary that relieves the pressures already felt.

Peter Handscomb, the Victoria captain who has been coached by Langer for Australia, said his state coaches Andrew McDonald, David Saker and Chris Rogers had each put a high premium on staying level.

“Something they’ve all had in common is that win, lose or draw, if you walk into the change rooms you can’t really tell from their reaction,” Handscomb told RSN Radio. “They’ve been very, very consistent over the years and just that sort of consistent messaging, which has been really, really good from people like that.

“Once you go to that Australian team, it’s the best 11 players in the country, they all know what they’re doing, they all know their game. The best way as a coach you can facilitate that, make sure they’re happy and in a good mindset, that’s a great way to go about it.″⁣

Handscomb expressed hope that the standing of Australian cricket, built up over the past four years since the Newlands scandal, would not be torn down on the basis of “one decision” around a change of coach.

“Australian cricket is in a very good space at the moment, coming off an incredible T20 World Cup win and winning the Ashes on home soil after retaining them in England as well,” he said.

“The country’s right behind the team, the players are playing some of the best cricket I’ve ever seen, so I’d be really disappointed if one decision really divides the support this Australian team have got over the past couple of years.”

Australia’s squad for the tour of Pakistan is set to be named on Tuesday, to be coached by the interim in the role, McDonald. Jhye Richardson is not expected to make the trip, but Marcus Harris will be persisted with.

In keeping with the philosophy he has exhibited so far, the selection chair George Bailey and other team planners are looking at successive tours to Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India as a chance to grow and improve the team’s approach in Asian conditions with a consistently selected team.

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