Justin Langer, Australia head coach, has allowed his staff and players to work with more freedom in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the ongoing T20 World Cup, batsman Steve Smith has said. Australia started the T20I World Cup with a five-wicket win over South Africa, with their bowlers restricting the opposition to 118/9.

Justin Langer has been under almost constant pressure since Australia’s stunning defeat in a Test series at home against an injury-ravaged Indian team earlier this year. Media reports indicate that senior players were miffed by the former opening batsman’s tendency to micro-manage the team.

Justin Langer. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Justin Langer Has Given Players More Freedom: Steve Smith

Australian batsman Steve Smith said that head coach Justin Langer had given the players the freedom to play according to their way. However, a few months ahead of the T20 World Cup, there was a lot of chaos in the Australian dressing room between the head coach and team players. Justin Langer has been under scrutiny after Australia’s dismal T20 tour of Bangladesh as reports of a rift with the players emerged.

“It’s been very chilled. He (Justin Langer) has kind of taken a back seat and just let the guys go out and do their thing, trusting their preparation. The other coaches have been able to come in and do what they wanted to do,” Steve Smith said.

“It has been a really chilled environment the last few weeks, pretty enjoyable. The guys have really got together well. Everyone is really clear in their roles. It’s just about going out there, doing our jobs, and performing well,” he said.

Steve Smith- Photograph: David Gray/AFP/Getty Images

Australia scraped through their opening encounter after an outstanding bowling performance and some critical cameos with the bat from Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, and Matthew Wade. Australia opted for four specialist bowlers only with spin all-rounder Glenn Maxwell as the fifth bowler. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins played together for the first time in a T20I despite the slow nature of the Abu Dhabi surface, with the plan working to perfection.

Steve Smith: Australia Has A Really Strong Squad Of 15 In 2021 T20I World Cup

Steve Smith said that Australia has a strong squad at their disposal. Steve Smith top-scored for Australia with 35 in their five-wicket win against South Africa in the opening match of the Super 12 stage. Aaron Finch didn’t score a single run off the five deliveries he faced. Despite David Warner scoring 14 runs off 15 deliveries, it wasn’t a strong showing for the batsman who averages 31.21 in T20 international games.

“We have a really strong squad of 15. Even missing out on someone like Ashton Agar was tough considering how he has performed in T20s over the last couple of years. It takes a real strong-squad mentality to win a World Cup. We started well against South Africa but it was just the start,” he said.

Aaron Finch didn’t hit any runs in Australia’s T20 World Cup opener against South Africa. Picture: Isuru Sameera Peiris / Gallo Images / Getty Images

Australia made a bold decision to leave out Ashton Agar and Kane Richardson against South Africa, who had been automatic selections for most of the last two years in a five-man attack. Ashton Agar is currently the highest-ranked Australian at No. 6 on the ICC T20I bowling rankings.

Australia will face Sri Lanka in their second match of the tournament on Thursday in Abu Dhabi. They are chasing their maiden T20 World Cup title this year, having come closest in 2010 when they finished runners-up to England after losing the final by seven wickets.