Langer’s deputy rules out top job
JUSTIN Langer’s chances of remaining Australian coach have increased because his deputy doesn’t want the job.
Assistant Andrew McDonald had been touted as favourite to take over the reins of the Test team if Langer didn’t have his contract renewed, but the former Test player reportedly has no interest in the top job.
It comes as the world’s most sought-after coaching commodity Ricky Ponting said “there is absolutely no way” Langer could be sacked.
Executive team manager Ben Oliver will present to the board early next month about the coaching roles as Langer’s four-year term comes to an end. A decision on his future will be made before the team goes to Pakistan next month.
With a well-respected figure such as McDonald out of the running, it leaves very few obvious candidates available should Cricket Australia decide to make a move on Langer – besides former England coach, Trevor Bayliss, who is the Sydney Thunder coach.
Ponting joined fellow heavyweights and former teammates Steve Waugh, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist in throwing his support behind Langer’s bid to be given a contract extension by Cricket Australia, having just guided the team to historic World Cup Twenty20 and Ashes glory.
“Going back to Justin Langer, I can’t see how he cannot be re-signed, simple as that,” Ponting said on Channel 7.
“On performance, there is absolutely no way that Justin Langer cannot continue.”
Langer was the subject of intense behind-the-scenes criticism through 2021, as team leaders complained about his management style. But he has responded by stepping back and investing more control in his deputies McDonald and Michael Di Venuto.
Australian captain Pat Cummins said on Friday night he wanted a decision from CA as soon as possible so all involved could have “clarity”.
Cummins hadn’t endorsed Langer when asked after the team went 3-0 up after the Boxing Day Test, but during the Hobart Test said, “we absolutely love JL”.
His previous silence had been read as an ominous sign for the coach as it is commonly accepted if there is tension between the two the captain must always prevail.