Why Aussie coach lost his composure and snapped at media

Australian cricket coach Justin Langer has dismissed as ‘‘careless whispers’’ suggestions that test outcast Glenn Maxwell had been misled by Cricket Australia about selection.

The latest omission of Maxwell for Australia’s series against Sri Lanka has reignited debate about his treatment, with the focus centred around the allrounder’s decision not to pursue an England county contract last year in the belief he would be chosen for an Australia A tour of India. That tour served as the key selection trial for the test series against Pakistan in the UAE, for which Maxwell was also overlooked.

On Thursday, Langer was pressed on whether a directive had been issued to Maxwell about county cricket.

‘Are you certain that’s what happened? Are you certain that’s what happened?’’ Langer asked on two occasions.

Pressed again if he was aware of it happening, Langer slammed the suggestions ‘‘careless whispers’’ before offering an apology after getting riled up.

‘‘Sorry for getting grumpy,’’ he said. ‘‘I don’t like getting grumpy but there’s so many stories that go around about so much stuff. The truth is a beautiful thing.’’

National selector Trevor Hohns denied being aware of a directive around Maxwell’s playing schedule last winter, saying players were ‘‘free to make up their own decisions on what they go and play’’.