Justin Langer appointed as new head coach of Australian Cricket Team
After Darren Lehman’s resignation over the ball-tampering scandal, Justin Langer has been named as the new head coach of the Australian cricket team across all three formats of the game. The former Australian batsman has been appointed for a four-year term and will take the charge on May 22.
Australian cricket entered in a doldrum following the ball-tampering scandal that saw their two talismanic cricketers - captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner - being banned for a year each from international cricket following widespread criticism back home. Although CA's Internal Investigation Unit didn't find coach Lehmann guilty in the matter, the burly Aussie resigned from the role on the basis of the moral ground. Since then, it was speculated that Western Australia coach Langer would replace him and CA Chief Executive James Sutherland, yesterday, formally announced the same.
"We are thrilled to appoint Justin as Head Coach of the Australian Men's Cricket Team. We firmly believe Justin is the right person to lead this team and have huge confidence in what he will bring to the role. Justin's work ethic, leadership, and values are among his strongest attributes - and he is widely respected across the global cricket community," Sutherland was quoted as saying by Cricket.com.au.
Known firmly as a Test specialist, Langer represented Australia in 105 Tests and eight ODIs in which he managed to score 7696 Test runs that include 23 centuries. He was an integral member of the golden generation of the Australian cricket team which was reigning over the cricketing world with their fearsome brand of cricket. While that added to his CV, it is believed that Langer’s vast coaching experience has helped him clinch the spot among all the contenders.
Langer has been the coach of Western Australia and BBL franchise Perth Scorchers since November 2012 and during his stint, Perth Scorchers won the T20 league on three occasions, the most of any coach, in 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2016-17. He's also led the Western Warriors (nickname of Western Australia) to One-Day Cup titles twice, in 2014-15 and 2017-18.
Langer has also been involved with Australian men's cricket on various occasions before as he was the assistant coach on an interim basis twice, in an ODI Tri-Series in the Windies in 2016, and in a T20 International Series on home soil against Sri Lanka in 2017. Long before that, Langer served as the assistant coach for three years from November 2009, before signing for the head coaching roles with Western Australia and Scorchers.
Langer expressed his gratitude to Cricket Australia for choosing him for the coveted job and looked excited about his new role with the Men’s senior team ahead of the England Tour in June.
"It is humbling to be appointed as coach of the Australian Men's Cricket Team,” Langer said while addressing the media.
“I would like to thank the Western Australian Cricket Association and the Perth Scorchers for their support over the past six seasons, and for giving me the opportunity to lead and work with two great teams and many exceptional people. I am very excited about the scope I now have to coach the country that supported me so much in my cricketing career. There will be some significant challenges ahead for our group, but there is a wealth of talent in Australian cricket that I know will do us all proud,” he added.
Langer also requested the public for their returned support and respect towards cricket in Australia and promised on his endeavor of achieving success with the national side.
"I'm thoroughly looking forward to working with all players, as we strive for a successful men's team across all formats, with the support and respect of the Australian public," he appealed.