No cowards in Aust team

Pat Cummins has declared there are no cowards in the Australian cricket team, admitting his disappointment over the Justin Langer podcast saga that is overshadowing the start of the test summer.

Speaking for the first time since Langer attracted front-and-backpage headlines last week, Cummins also made clear he would never air the details of private conversations in public.

The Australia captain’s comments came just one day out from the first test against West Indies, with below-average crowds expected in Langer’s home town of Perth.

Australia will field their regular home lineup, with Josh Hazlewood the only man to come in from the team that faced Sri Lanka in Galle in July.

The hosts will also start the battle for the Frank Worrell Trophy as hot favourites, with West Indies having not won a test in Australia since 1996-97.

But with little fanfare or promotion around Perth, much of the focus remains around what reception Australia receive in what is likely to be a largely empty Optus Stadium.

Cummins yesterday made a point to acknowledge Langer had clarified several of his comments, including claiming he was not referring to players when he said those who leaked to media were ‘‘cowards’’.

‘‘There’s no cowards in the Australian cricket team, not ever,’’ Cummins said. ‘‘I thank Justin for clarifying his remarks afterwards.

‘‘But we’re really proud of the last 12 months, how we’ve fronted up, the way we’ve played, the way we’ve conducted ourselves.’’