Langer has ‘full support’ of CA
ADELAIDE: Cricket Australia’s boss will leave coach Justin Langer to sort out reports of friction within his team.
CA interim chief executive Nick Hockley said Langer retained the ‘‘full support’’ of the governing body’s hierarchy amid reports of unrest with some players.
‘‘Some of the commentary that I have seen around JL in the media, I think that is a matter for within the team, for within the squad,’’ Hockley said yesterday.
‘‘[What] I will really say is JL’s leadership, his passion, he wears his heart on his sleeve, but he’s a great leader.
‘‘What he has done for the team culture, what he provides to the organisation more broadly, so not just on the field but off the field, I think he has been very, very clear what he stands for.
‘‘That is . . . for the team to make Australians proud.
‘‘And Justin has got our full support.
‘‘ ... The team dynamic, that is something for the team, the captain, the coach, to work through.’’
After Australia’s test series loss to India, there were reports Langer’s intense style had been draining on players, which the coach has dismissed as inaccurate.
‘‘We’re in a highperformance business,’’ Hockley said.
‘‘ . . . We will monitor performance and certainly we will, this last series as with every series, we will look to debrief and see how we can get better.’’
Hockley informed Langer on Tuesday night that CA had postponed next month’s scheduled test tour of South Africa.
‘‘He’s extremely disappointed not to be going to South Africa,’’ Hockley said.
‘‘But I think it’s now valuing that time to plan the next period and start to think and plan about our Ashes campaign, which is obviously hugely important.’’
Australia defends the Ashes at home starting in November.
Langer will remain in Australia while the national T20 squad plays a fivegame series in New Zealand starting later this month. Assistant coach Andrew McDonald will lead that touring party. — AAP