Pat Cummins responds to criticism from former players over Justin Langer’s exit as Australia coach

Australia Test captain Pat Cummins on Wednesday responded to criticism following Justin Langer’s resignation as head coach in a first public statement since the stormy turn of events that has dominated headlines back in the country.

Justin Langer resigned as Australia’s head coach before his contract expired and pointed fingers at lack of support from some members of the team and the board. Langer had revealed that he was offered a short-term contract extension by Cricket Australia but he did not accept it while adding that the board seemingly wanted to take the team in in a new direction.

Pat Cummins and his teammates were lambasted by some former Australian cricketers, including Mitchell Johnson, for not backing Langer’s contract extension. Notably, Langer quit from the role despite overseeing Australia’s first-ever T20 World Cup victory last year and the 4-0 win in Ashes earlier this year.

The likes of Johnson, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist criticized the manner in which Langer was shown the door but the former Australian pacer directly pointed fingers at Cummins, saying the newly-appointed Test captain was gutless in not expressing his thoughts on the Langer situation when the former head coach was discussing his future with the CA.

“To all past players, I want to say this. Just as you have always stuck up for your mates, I’m sticking up for mine,” Cummins said in a statement adding that he will elaborate his stand in the coming days.

‘AUSTRALIA PLAYERS WERE OKAY WITH LANGER’S INTENSITY’

Notably, Langer had issued a statement a day after he quit, apologising if his intensity in the coaching environment caused problems for the players.

Media reports in the middle of 2021 suggested that some players were unhappy with Langer’s approach to coaching and sudden mood changes. Following meetings between team leaders and management, Langer started taking a less hands-on approach.

“Justin has acknowledged that his style was intense. And it was,” Cummins said.

“He has apologized to players and staff for his intensity. I think the apology was unnecessary.”

Cummins said the players were okay with Langer’s intensity.

“It came from a good place — and his fierce love of Australia and the baggy green (Australia’s test cricket cap) — something which has served Australian cricket well for three decades,” Cummins said. “It’s what makes him a legend of the sport. And Justin’s intensity drove a better team culture and higher team standards.”

Cummins said Langer left significant legacies and he thanked him on behalf of the players.

“More than that, we owe him a lot and Justin will be a welcome face in the change room in the future,” he said. “So, his intensity was not the issue for players and the support staff.”