Despite Australia winning the T20 World Cup for the first time and retaining the coveted Ashes urn at home with the Boxing Day Test win, their head coach Justin Langer can’t be certain of retaining his post once his contract with Cricket Australia comes to an end.
Newly appointed Test skipper Pat Cummins refused to be drawn into talks around Langer’s contract status, but indications are that the former Aussie Test opener may just have to leave his post in the coming months.
“I think we’ll savour this victory today and continue for the Ashes and I don’t think today’s the day to speculate on that.
I think we’ll sit down all together after this series or whenever I think his tenure is up or his contract is up for renewal in a few months, I think we’ll visit that then.”
he was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Cummins’ diplomatic answer was followed by another dead-bat response from CA CEO Nick Hockley, who said Langer and the players are mainly focused on winning the Ashes 5-0, while the board themselves go about keeping the series as safely going as possible amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hockley confirmed that the discussions on Langer’s contract renewal will take place only after the Australian summer is over. Australia are due to host New Zealand and Sri Lanka in white-ball fixtures before travelling to Pakistan for a historic full tour in March-April. It is believed the decision on Langer’s removal or retention will be taken somewhere in the build-up to the Pakistan tour.
“We always said we’re going to be really focused on the two upcoming campaigns. That’s the T20 World Cup and the T20 team did fantastically to bring that trophy home and same for the Ashes.”
“I know JL, I know the team, they are very, very focused on this series and what we have said before the summer, we’ll be sitting down at the end of the season, to review where we go from there.”
Hockley said.
The question mark on Langer’s retention was first raised when speculations of a rift between him and the players were rife as Australia’s alternative white-ball squad lost successive T20I series in West Indies and Bangladesh.
Media reports did the rounds that the relationship between Langer and the players was on the verge of collapse. But despite that, Hockley and CA had confirmed Langer’s continuation at the post for the T20 World Cup and the Ashes, also adding that they back him to fulfill his tenure, which ends in June 2022.
Since then, it is also believed that Langer has adjusted his own coaching style to create a calmer environment for the players to flourish and not feel they are under excessive pressure to perform all the time. Langer recently also made it clear that he would like to continue his post till his contract is over. Leaving the retention part upto CA bosses, Langer said he personally wants to remain in his head coach’s post in all three formats of the game.
“I’ve never thought differently, to be honest. I’ve been consistent with what I’ve said for the last four years. I love my job. And the boys are playing well. No doubt about it. It’s a great team to be involved in. Nothing’s changed from my point of view,”
Langer had said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Australia, having pulled off successive Test wins in Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne, will now be focusing on the New Year’s Test in Sydney, starting January 5. The Ashes conclude with the fifth and final Test in Hobart.
