Put feet up, star trio told
Langer confident he has squad to retain Ashes
JUSTIN Langer has ordered the three heroes of Birmingham — Steve Smith, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon — to take time off before the second Test at Lord’s next week.
The Australian coach said opener David Warner would also enjoy a mini-break as the bulk of the squad headed to Worcester for a tour game starting tonight.
The players’ partners and families are also due to join the tour, although Smith’s wife, Danni, was in Birmingham to watch his incredible feats and Warner’s family has been in England since the World Cup.
Langer said Smith was at liberty to do whatever he wanted in his time off.
“He’s under no tions,” he said.
“He can hit as many balls as he wants. I don’t think he will because he won’t have anyone to throw them to him.
“He can prepare however he wants to . . . and we will keep encouraging that.
“But he’s going to be that tired after this game, physically and mentally, so I’m sure he’ll welcome the few days off.” instruc
Langer marvelled at Smith’s Test efforts in which he said the 30-year-old took batting “to another level”.
“You have in different teams, different eras, great players but for someone like ‘Smudge’ (Smith) who is averaging over 60 and the way he played with all the pressure and everything that is on him, it was not only great skill but enormous character,” he said.
“Enormous courage, very brave, unbelievable concentration, unbelievable physical stamina, unbelievable mental stamina — all traits of great players.”
While Smith stood out, Langer said the victory was one for planning and selection.
Australia made six changes from its win over Sri Lanka in February, recalling Smith, Warner and Cameron Bancroft, as well as Matthew Wade as a batsman, and overlooking strike weapons Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
He said the 251-run win was an indication he had the squad to break an 18-year Ashes drought in England.
“We won from 8-122, and to win the Test match like we did, that shows incredible character, incredible fighting spirit,” he said.
“While we could have picked any of the 17, look at the guys we picked and you go, yeah, they are all fighters.
“We’ve got a couple of allrounders who didn’t play this game, we’ve got two worldclass bowlers sitting on the bench. Whatever conditions we play in I think we’ll have people to cover those.”