New Australian coach vows to win back respect

THE new head coach of Australia’s men’s cricket team has vowed to earn back the public’s respect for the national side after they were embroiled in a ball-tampering scandal.

Justin Langer also said he would welcome back disgraced players Steve Smith, Cameron Bancroft and David Warner following their suspensions if they were “willing to meet the standards of Australian cricket”.

The former opening batsman was announced as Darren Lehmann’s successor and will begin a four-year term in the job on May 22.

Lehmann stepped down from the role in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in March, which also led to the suspension of skipper Smith, vice-captain Warner and batsman Bancroft.

Langer said his focus would be on earning back respect for the team both on and off the field.

“To me that’s worth more than all the gold in the world,” he said.

“We look to encourage great cricketers but also great Australians and great citizens. Over the next four years, starting from day one, that’s really important.

“The public will be disappointed if we don’t play good, hard, competitive cricket, but that said, we can also modify our behaviour so that it’s not angry or overly aggressive.”

Asked whether he would consider allowing Smith, Bancroft and Warner to return to the team following their suspensions, Langer said he would not rule it out.

He said “One of the key values for me is learning from the past.

“This will be a really important message: if they are willing to meet the standards of the Australian cricket team, I think everyone has a place.”