Former Australian cricketer Justin Langer, who has been named as the temporary coach for Australia’s three-match Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka next year, believes he is predestined to coach Australia after its current head coach Darren Lehmann’s term gets over.
“I think it’s still really important to have one person overseeing the whole thing. In a perfect world, you have one captain and one coach overseeing it all,” Langer was quoted in saying by Cricbuzz.
On December 8, Cricket Australia selectors appointed the Western Australian coach, Langer on temporary basis for the national duty as Lehmann will be serving the Australian team on Indian tour, owing to the clash of formats in cricket calendar which has been the strong reason to pick another coach for home series against Sri Lanka.
“But in times like this (where there’s a schedule conflict) you can have good people to help out when required,” he added. “But I honestly don’t think that’s the way forward (on a permanent basis). It can become diluted messages sometimes.” Langer remarked.
Contracted until 2019, the 46-year-old Langer, who had been the acting coach during Australia’s One-Day International tour of the Caribbean, is also seen a favourite contender to replace Lehmann in the time to come.
With speculation on high, Justin Langer is said to be flanked by former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting as an assistant coach.
Favouring the consistency, it’s pertinent to mention that Perth Scorchers won Big Bash League (BBL) titles consecutively in 2014 and 15 after playing three straightaway finals.
“One of our advantages at the Scorchers is we’ve been able to have that continuity of one coach and the same coaches right throughout the system,”
In 2012, Langer was appointed WA coach and this time he has a good chance to showcase his coaching skills.
Western Australia won the Matador Cup in 2014-15 and were two time runners-up in 2013-14 and 2014-15, which shows their steadiness across different formats.
“Our record at the Scorchers shows if you keep that continuity throughout the program, you get the benefit. My view is that’s the way it should stay,” Langer concluded.