Is Langer best man for job?

EVERY Saturday The Chronicle sport team take a look at the big issues in sport. In the wake of the recent ball tampering saga we vowed to never talk about cricket again – are at the very least not discuss it for a very, very, very long time.

But our hand has been forced by the announcement of Justin Langer as the new coach. We discuss if Langer is the right man for the job. Here are our thoughts.

Jason Gibbs: Justin Langer is the perfect man to change the Australian cricket team.

He is often described as a no-nonsense bloke who just loves cricket, but there’s more to him than that.

If you take the time to read up on Langer you’ll quickly he’s actually a very complex character.

The now former West Australian cricket coach meditates every morning, embraces mindfulness techniques and reads a lot of philosophy.

He admits some of his biggest life decisions have been made during morning meditations and encourages his players, to read more and to consider meditation themselves.

What’s all that got to with cricket though? Well I think Langer’s mantra “character over cover drives” sums things up perfectly.

The Australian cricket team needs better character right now. For too long the toxic culture that lead us to that day in South Africa has poisoned the team and the players.

The team needs to be more mindful and aware of themselves, the game as a whole and their influence.

Langer is exactly the type of character we need. And with nearly 8000 Test cricket runs to his name and more than 28,000 First Class runs – I think it’s safe to say he knows a thing or two about the game.

Sean Teuma: I think he is.

As a player, Langer always struck me as a no-nonsense type of bloke, and with the last few months that Cricket Australia has endured, that is exactly what the national team needs right now.

He has experience coaching at the domestic level and that should serve as the ideal apprenticeship for the top job in the sport.

You’d like to hope that he can be the man to address the current attitude problem that is reported to have been rampant within the side.

Tim Paine looks to have his head screwed on, so it only looks like a benefit to have the two working side by side.

He has seven months until his first test series against India, which will be plenty of time for him to get used to the role, and have the players working for him.

Overall I think it was a smart

decision, and one that will ultimately pay dividends for cricket in Australia.

Glen McCullough: He’s most certainly the best choice.

My preferences for the job were either Langer or Jason Gillespie.

It’s interesting both were from an era where we weren’t plagued and embarrassed by the rubbish we have to put up with today from some of socalled elite cricketers.

Langer and Gillespie were part of hard-nosed Aussie teams led by Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh.

That pair in turn had been influenced by their captain, Allan Border, who was responsible for leading Australia back from world cricket wilderness with some old fashion pride and grit — no nonsense.

Remember the infamous Craig McDermott incident in England. Google it if you’ve forgotten on weren’t around.

I’m not sure where things started going awry for the Aussies in the wake of those eras.

But I’m thinking Langer would have an idea, even if he doesn’t publicly air his views.

I expect him to lead just like he played as a pugnacious opening batsman and fearless short-leg fielder.

He’s already saying the right things, and I don’t think it’s purely feel-good stuff.

“To me respect is worth more than all the gold in the world,” Langer said following confirmation on Thursday of his appointment.

He wants players to earn that respect from team-mates, peers and the country as a whole.

He believes the key to us moving forward is moulding our players to be “great cricketers” and “great Australians”.

Ahhh... absolute music to my ears.

That’s the type of Aussie we used to be. The ones I grew up idolising and wanting to be.