Mitchell Johnson had launched a scathing attack at Pat Cummins, calling him ‘gutless’ for not standing up for Justin Langer. Justin Langer’s exit as Australia’s head coach hasn’t gone down well with many members of the cricket fraternity. Many former Aussie cricketers have openly criticized Cricket Australia for their decision.
Even Test skipper Pat Cummins has also come under the scanner. As the speedster didn’t publicly endorse Justin Langer’s extension, many including Mitchell Johnson reckon he has a hand in the former cricketer’s exit.
Mitchell Johnson Launches Scathing Attack On Pat Cummins Who Disagrees
Former Aussie speedster Mitchell Johnson is also of the same opinion.
“Cummins might have delivered with the ball during the Ashes series, but he has failed his first big test as captain pretty miserably,” Mitchell Johnson wrote.
“He had plenty of public opportunities to endorse an extension for Langer. So when he let it through to the keeper every time, it became pretty obvious he didn’t want it to happen.
“Cummins holds a lot of power and must have been central to what’s happened. He’s clearly had an agenda to get in a coach he wants. His recent interviews have been gutless by not respecting his coach when he could have been upfront from the start,” said Mitchell Johnson.
Reacting to the same, Pat Cummins said his former teammate is entitled to his opinion and he’s not seeking to make peace with him. The top-ranked Test pacer released a statement in front of the media where he fired back at Justin Langer’s former teammates.
“I absolutely disagree with what he (Mitchell Johnson) says. He hasn’t reached out and he’s entitled to his opinion. He’s standing up for his mate. I can hold my head high so I’m fine. 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 stated.
Pat Cummins made his first public comments on Wednesday since the departure of former national team coach Justin Langer, in which he insisted that Australia needed a more collaborative, “new style” of coaching.
Pat Cummins Is Indebted To Justin Langer And Said He Loved Working With The Brilliant Coach
Lavishing praises on Justin Langer, Pat Cummins said he is indebted to the West Australian for playing a part in Australia’s maiden T20 World Cup win and the 2021-22 Ashes triumph. While the Test skipper called Justin Langer “the perfect man for the times”, he reckons the team now needs a change.
“There are so many positives to what JL has brought to the table. He was the perfect man for the times and he did a fantastic job. I loved working with him and thought he was brilliant. Some of these skillsets are a little bit different to perhaps a traditional coaching style,” said Cummins.
“I think he tweaked his coaching style the last six months but we think now is time for a different direction. It’s a matter of opinion, but we think it’s the right one,” he added.
Clearing the air, the 28-year-old pacer and newly appointed Test skipper further said he has been in touch with Justin Langer after his resignation.
“We’ve had a few messages over the last few days and we’re all good. From my point of view, I have huge respect for the man and I love what he has done. I owe him a lot he’s been brilliant for this team but also me individually. He’s backed me in a lot and that’s probably what I passed on to him and hopefully we can catch up soon and talk about it,” asserted Cummins.
Justin Langer left after a nearly four-year reign that was widely seen as instilling integrity and discipline in a team that had been disgraced by a ball-tampering scandal against South Africa in 2018. His tenure culminated in a 4-0 beating of England in the Ashes series that ended last month.
Justin Langer’s contract as Australia’s head coach was set to expire in June but after a lengthy meeting with Cricket Australia, he decided to resign from his role with immediate effect. Cricket Australia offered him a short-term extension which he denied so both parties decided to part ways.
Australia is set to travel to Pakistan in March-April for a series of 3 Tests, 3 ODIs, and one T20I. Andrew McDonald has been appointed an interim head coach for the tour.