Former Australia cricketer and coach Justin Langer has replaced Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower as the head coach of the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the franchise announced on July 14, 2023.
The franchise issued a statement on Friday expressing their gratitude to Flower as his two-year contract with the team came to an end earlier this year.
The statement read, “As the two-year contract of Andy Flower comes to an end, Lucknow Supergiants thanks Andy Flower for his contribution.”
Dear Andy,
Today it’s farewell, but it’ll never be goodbye because you’ll always be one of our own. Thank you for everything! ? pic.twitter.com/EGtaRvYiHj
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) July 14, 2023
Under Flower’s guidance and KL Rahul’s captaincy, the LSG team qualified for the playoffs in both IPL 2022 and IPL 2023.
On the other hand, the franchise has retained Gautam Gambhir as its mentor, along with other support staff members, such as bowling coach Morne Morkel, fielding coach Jonty Rhodes, and assistant coach Vijay Dahiya.
Gautam Gambhir Suggested Justin Langer’s Name To LSG Owner Sanjiv Goenka
It was Gambhir who suggested Langer’s name to the franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka, who, after a series of interactions with the Australian, was impressed with the recommendation.
“I have enjoyed my interaction with JL. He seems to bring in a huge amount of aggression besides a lot of clarity. His name was suggested to me by Gautam. When I interacted with him, I was very impressed. I am very happy that he has become part of the LSG,” the team owner told Cricbuzz.
Langer’s impressive track record includes leading the Perth Scorchers to three Big Bash League titles in the first four years of the BBL before assuming the role of head coach for the Australian national team in 2018.
He coached Australia from 2018 to 2022 and during his tenure, Australia defeated England 4-0 at home in Ashes and won the T20 World Cup in the UAE in 2021.
Expressing his enthusiasm about joining the Lucknow Super Giants, Langer stated, “Lucknow Super Giants are on the journey of building a great story in the IPL. We all have a role to play in that journey, and I am excited to be a part of the team moving forward.”
JUST IN: LANGER! ?? pic.twitter.com/UYu6XSfgIX
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) July 14, 2023
This is the first time, Langer will be involved with any team in the IPL.