‘Imagine if Wallabies won the Bledisloe and World Cup’: Langer, Gilchrist push coach’s case for contract
Adam Gilchrist joined the growing chorus of former players calling for Justin Langer to be reappointed, as Australia’s Test coach outlined how contract negotiations could play out in the coming weeks after what he described as some “extraordinary” on-field results.
Langer’s contract expires in June but the Cricket Australia board will make a call on his future before Australia’s tour of Pakistan in March.
Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne, among others, have thrown their support behind Langer, a former teammate, who said he would like to continue in the role following Australia’s T20 World Cup and Ashes victories.
CA will discuss the Langer issue with senior players, some of whom are reportedly keen for a change at the top.
Langer, speaking on SEN Radio, was asked about how the process will play out.
“In the next little bit, I’m sure those conversations will start to be had,” he said. “There’s plenty to be spoken about.
“[I am] never edgy [about my future]. Before the World Cup and before this Ashes, we’ve never ever been better prepared. So it’s not a coincidence, I don’t think, that we’ve had the success we’ve had.
“Whatever happens from now on, we can all be incredibly proud of this little period. We had two missions: to win the World Cup and to win the Ashes. To do that in such a short period is a monumental effort and we’re all really satisfied with that. I sit here at the moment feeling really content.
“We’ve done some extraordinary things the last few months.”
On Tuesday evening, Langer pushed his case again for reappointment when asked why reports continued to surface that he was no certainty to keep his job. He provided an interesting rugby analogy.
Justin Langer during the Sydney Test. Credit:Getty
“Imagine if a Wallabies coach won the Bledisloe Cup and then the World Cup in six months,” Langer told 6PR. “That’s the frustration of it. I wish I could tell you [why there is external noise]. That’s the truth. I can only be judged on where Australian cricket was when I took over.”
Langer’s comments come as Gilchrist, one of Langer’s closest allies, questioned how the CA board could appoint anyone else.
“The embattled Aussie coach has handled himself with great dignity whilst under siege, always shining the light on others in such a respectful manner,” Gilchrist tweeted on Wednesday. “What possibly could [the Cricket Australia] board be waiting for?”
Gilchrist outlined a number of Langer’s achievements, from retaining the 2019 Ashes, to winning the T20 World Cup while being “publicly scrutinised through leaks and innuendo”.
The former Test star signed off with #justgetitdone.
Meanwhile, Langer was asked on SEN about the footage that emerged of Alex Carey, Travis Head and Nathan Lyon being told by police to finish their drinking session in the early hours of Monday morning following their fifth Test victory.
It has since emerged England assistant coach Graham Thorpe filmed the interaction, which then ended up online, as first reported by the Herald and The Age. The former Test batter was also reportedly the target of the initial complaint to police after smoking a cigar indoors.
“I haven’t seen the fallout from it,” Langer said. “All I know is if you can’t celebrate after winning an Ashes, then when can the boys celebrate. It’s been a hectic campaign. For some of them, it’s been a hectic four or five months at the World Cup as well. It was very innocent and happy fun. Hopefully, there’s not too much stress about it.”
Langer also revealed he is meeting former Test captain Tim Paine for breakfast on Thursday in Hobart.
Paine has not announced when he will return to cricket after taking time off with his family, following the sexting scandal that saw him lose the Australian captaincy before the Ashes.
“Really looking forward to seeing him,” Langer said. “I’m sure it’s been a bit bittersweet for Painey. He was a huge part of the preparations for this series. He was so focused on winning the Ashes. To see the boys do what they did, I’m sure he’s incredibly proud of that. He would love to have been a part of it.”
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