Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo
Cricket Australia give backing to under pressure coach Justin Langer
Written by I Dig Sports
Published in
Cricket
Wednesday, 18 August 2021 03:57
Justin Langer has been backed by Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley to take the team through the T20 World Cup and Ashes amid ongoing reports of dressing room unrest over his coaching style.
Since returning from the tour of Bangladesh where they were beaten 4-1, Langer's coaching methods have again been under the spotlight including his minor role in a disagreement with a Cricket Australia journalist, first reported in the Age, over the posting of a Bangladesh celebration video on the CA website.
It follows the tensions that emerged after the Test series defeat against India earlier this year which were addressed in post-season reviews before the squad gathered on the Gold Coast ahead of leaving for West Indies.
"Justin [Langer] has done an incredible job in raising the culture, values and behaviours of the Australian men's team since he took on the role in 2018," Hockley said in a statement issued on Wednesday evening. "His efforts have restored public faith in the national team which is a side all Australian's can be incredibly proud of.
"He is contracted as head coach through to the middle of next year with the focus now on a successful T20 World Cup campaign followed by the home Ashes defence in what is one of the most anticipated series and summers of cricket in Australia for many years."
Australia were without a number of first-choice players for the recent series against West Indies and Bangladesh having also not been able to field their strongest team against New Zealand earlier this year - a tour Langer missed with Andrew McDonald stepping in.
Under Langer's watch Australia have lost two Test series at home against India but swept the home summer against Pakistan and New Zealand in 2019-2020. The 2019 season in England has been the high point of Langer's time as coach where they reached the semi-final of the ODI World Cup before retaining the Ashes away from home for the first time since 2001, although losing the last Test meant it was a 2-2 scoreline.
Under Langer, Australia have won 11 and lost seven of 22 Tests, won 25 and lost 22 of 47 ODIs and won 18 and lost 21 of 41 T20Is. Last year they were ranked No. 1 in both Tests and T20Is.
"Like many in the community and around the world the team has had an extremely disruptive and challenging 18 months during the pandemic," Hockley's statement added. "Despite those challenges the side has had great success in One-Day, Test and T20 cricket, when all players were available.
"Justin, his coaching staff and the leaders within the team have an equally important part to play in ensuring a successful summer ahead for the Australian cricket team."
Earlier on Wednesday during a round interviews, limited-overs captain Aaron Finch said it was "not a great look" that stories were emerging from the dressing room although he believed the recent poor run of results exacerbated the issue.
"There's always tension when results don't go your way in all sports," he told SEN radio. "Wins and losses are what count. I think anytime that doesn't happen, that all gets amplified."