LANGER’S NEW JOB BEHIND MIC
JUSTIN Langer will be asked to pass judgment on the players who passed judgment on him after signing a new deal with Channel 7.
The former Australian coach is venturing into commentary this summer and will provide analysis on Pat Cummins’ team in their Test series against the West Indies and South Africa.
Seven is at war with Cricket Australia and attempting to terminate its broadcast deal in the Federal Court for breach of contract.
There is no love lost between Langer and CA either.
He told a recent podcast hosted by former England rugby great Jonny Wilkinson that he still carries scars from his brutal demise as Australian coach where he was the victim of a player revolt – but has found solace in spending more time with family and friends, away from the game in Western Australia.
After deciding he was not ready to return to coaching at the Hobart Hurricanes where he would have been in partnership with Ricky Ponting, Langer will instead join his close friend in anchoring Seven’s summer coverage of Test cricket and the Big Bash.
“Test cricket has been a part of my life since I was a little kid. Having been fortunate to have played and coached in the Test arena, I am now delighted to be given the opportunity to commentate on the game I love, with a great company and team at Seven,” said Langer.
“The BBL was also a pivotal part of my life, so I am excited to be involved again this summer.”
Despite overseeing Australia’s historic World Cup win and Ashes triumph, Langer was effectively shown the door by CA, and his ugly resignation sparked outrage among retired greats, led by Ponting.
It is no secret Langer lost the support of leading figures in the Australian dressing room and he received little public support from members of the current playing group when the end came.
By his own admission, Langer has found the taxing episode difficult to reconcile, and mystery surrounds whether he will ever seek to return to coaching.
“Ironically, the last six months of my coaching career were the most enjoyable period of 12 years of coaching,” Langer said at a public speaking event two months ago. “Not only did we win everything, but I had energy and I had focus and I was happy – besides the bullshit politics.”
Now he will commentate on Australia’s first summer without him, with Andrew McDonald the new coach at the helm.
Langer will also commentate on the Big Bash competition. There was a feeling he would link with Hobart Hurricanes after Ponting was appointed its new head of cricket but it became clear the former Australian opener was not ready to return to coaching.