Justin Langer steps down as Australia coach
Justin Langer has submitted his resignation to Cricket Australia and will step down from the role of Australia Men’s coach with immediate effect. The decision came after a lengthy Cricket Australia board meeting which finished with out a resolution. Langer whose contract is set to expire in June, sought a long-term extension but was offered a short-term extension by the board which he declined – eventually leading to his resignation.
Andrew McDonald is set to take up temporary charge of Aussies till the role is filled up.
Langer who took up the role of head coach since the resignation of Darren Lehmann post the sandpaper gate IN May 2018– over saw Australia retain and clinch Ashes & win their maiden T20 World Cup title.
The decision regarding the resignation has been made via a statement from Justin Langer’s management company DSEG on Saturday. The former Aussie cricketer’s manager James Henderson followed that up with his own statement.
“As a player, Justin retired on top after a 5-0 Ashes whitewash,” Henderson wrote. “Today, despite the views of a faceless few, he finishes his time as Australian cricket coach winning the T20 World Cup and the Ashes. Lest we forget what JL took over in 2018.”
The 51-year-old Langer was involved in a lengthy meeting with the CA board on Friday at the end of which no resolution on his contract extension was achieved. Board CEO Nick Hockley later said that confidential meetings with Langer would continue before a final call.
In a media release, the board confirmed that Langer was offered a short-term contract that would have seen the head coach stay on to defend Australia’s T20 World Cup at home in October-November.
“Justin has been an outstanding coach of the Australian men’s team over the past four years. He has restored the trust in the team and his legacy is assured,” Hockley said.
“We are extremely proud of his achievements since he took over in 2018, including the recent T20 World Cup victory and Ashes success. We are naturally disappointed Justin has decided against continuing as coach but respect his decision and wish him all the best in the future.
“I would like to sincerely thank Justin and also his family for all that they have given to Australian cricket over the past four years, for which we remain eternally grateful.”
Justin Langer’s decision came less than a day after a eight hour long Cricket Australia board meeting on the extension of his contract.
Australia rebounded spectacularly winning their maiden T20 World Cup and following that up by routing England 4-0 in the Ashes series, prompting former cricketers including Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist to publically voice their support in favour of extending Langer’s contract, which was scheduled to run down in June even though the two captains, Cummins and Finch, stopped well short of offering their complete endorsement.
