After over six months of speculations on his role, Justin Langer has stepped down as the head coach of the Australia men’s cricket team. Apparently, he rejected the offer of a short-term contract extension for the position before resigning.
Langer would remain Australia’s head coach until the ICC T20 WC 2022
The development was confirmed by Langer’s management company DSEG on early Saturday, following a board meeting of Cricket Australia (CA) on Friday that majorly discussed Langer’s future.
“DSEG confirms that our client Justin Langer has this morning tendered his resignation as coach of the Australian men’s cricket team. The resignation follows a meeting with Cricket Australia last evening. The resignation is effective
immediately,” the statement said.
Langer’s manager James Henderson also followed up with DSEG’s tweet and wrote: “As a player, Justin retired on top after a 5-0 Ashes whitewash. Today, despite the views of a faceless few, he finishes his time as Australian cricket coach winning the T20 World Cup and the Ashes. Lest we forget what JL took over in 2018.”
Cricket Australia (CA) released a statement after the meeting and confirmed that Langer was offered a short-term extension of his contract and would remain Australia’s head coach until the ICC T20 World Cup 2022.
Cricket Australia thank Langer
“Justin has been an outstanding coach of the Australian men’s team over the past four years. He has restored the trust in the team, and his legacy is assured,” CA CEO Nick Hockley said.
“We are extremely proud of his achievements since he took over in 2018, including the recent T20 World Cup victory and Ashes success. We are naturally disappointed Justin has decided against continuing as a coach but respect his decision and wish him all the best in the future,” Hockley added.
Langer had replaced Darren Lehmann, who had stepped down as Australia head coach following the infamous ball-tampering incident in 2018. While Langer was made the new head coach, former cricketer Andrew McDonald was named as his deputy and named the assistant coach.
Andrew will now be the interim coach for Australia’s tour of Pakistan, the first time after a gap of 24 years. The series will comprise of three Tests, as many ODIs, and one-off T20I in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore.