Former Australian opener Justin Langer is reportedly in line to become Australia’s next coach. Australia are without a head coach since the conclusion of the four-match Test series in South Africa.
Darren Lehmann had sensationally stepped down from his post following the explosive ball-tampering incident.
Lehmann’s decision had come just a day after he had vowed to stay on and drive cultural renewal. However, he later stated that he took the decision after seeing Steven Smith breaking down in front of the media at Sydney Airport.
On the third day of the Cape Town Test, Cameron Bancroft used yellow tape to gouge up the ball. Once the broadcasters repeatedly aired the footage and even displayed it on the giant screen, panicked Bancroft then slipped the sticky tape inside his trousers.
Later, Bancroft along with skipper Smith admitted that the team had pre-planned the whole thing. The world cricket body ICC handed Bancroft three demerit points and a nine-month ban.
Owing to the shenanigans, Cricket Australia (CA) treated the duo along with David Warner even more harshly. The board banned Warner and Smith for a year.
Meanwhile, Australian media has reported that Langer is all set to replace Lehmann. The batting legend pipped former teammates Ricky Ponting and Jason Gillespie to take the coveted job.
A fan0favourite, Langer is one of the most highly-rated coaches in Australia. He has enjoyed unprecedented success with Perth Scorchers in Australia’s lucrative Twenty20 competition, Big Bash League (BBL).
Quick read: Five Possible Contenders to replace Darren Lehmann
Langer had also coached the national team during the T20 series against Sri Lanka in 2017.
The reports suggested Langer might be named as Lehmann’s successor at CA’s board meeting on Friday (April 20).
However, it is still unclear if Langer will be coaching the team across formats.
Given Langer's stood in for Lehmann relatively recently, and so is naturally associated with the `culture' that's apparently the problem with Oz cricket, appointing him's not exactly striking out in a new direction. Interesting call.
— Andrew Faulkner (@AndrewFaulkner9) April 18, 2018
Langer might not represent the "cultural change" that the mythical public are craving for… but who would? Best choice available IMO
— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) April 18, 2018
Cricket Australia board will determine the process of selecting new coach on Friday. Justin Langer is odds on favourite but he has not been offered or agreed to take the job at this stage.
— Tim Gossage ? (@TimGossage) April 18, 2018
Meanwhile, CA released a statement soon after Langer made it to the headlines. The board confirmed that it is yet to take the decision.
“The process to be undertaken for the appointment of a new Australian men’s head coach will be discussed and agreed at the CA board meeting this Friday,” the statement read.
“No appointment has been made, and nor will any candidate be put to the board for ratification on Friday. We expect to have a clearer understanding of the approach and appointment timelines following this meeting,” it added.
The 47-year-old left-handed batsman Justin Langer represented Australia in 105 Tests and eight One-day Internationals between 1993 and 2007.
The Perth-based cricketer Langer amassed 7,696 runs in 182 innings. He scored at the average of 45.27 and struck 23 centuries and 30 half-centuries.