Qatar - Cricket Australia denies 'fiery' talks with coach Langer

(MENAFN- Gulf Times)

The 51-year-old reportedly incensed at the prospect of having to 'reapply' for job

Cricket Australia has denied reports national coach Justin Langer threw a tantrum at a“fiery” meeting after being told he may need to reapply for his job.
Langer's four-year contract ends in mid-2022 and there is speculation over his future, despite Australia's recent success in the Ashes series and at the T20 World Cup.
Local media reports said Langer, whose intense management style created dressing room tensions last year,“went ballistic” during talks with senior cricket Australia staff over his future.
The 51-year-old was reportedly incensed at the prospect of having to reapply for the job he took in 2018, when Australian cricket was mired in the Sandpaper-gate cheating scandal.
Cricket Australia confirmed contract discussions with Langer began last Friday but rejected suggestions the meeting turned ugly.
“While we do not comment on confidential conversations, we felt on this occasion it was important to correct the record,” the governing body said in a statement.
“Among other false claims, we reject outright the assertion that the meeting was fiery or heated and that Justin was asked to reapply for his job.”
The governing body said it would make an announcement when the contract discussions were complete.
Former opening batter Langer has restored Australia's cricketing pride after the ball-tampering affair in South Africa revealed the national side was plagued by a toxic win-at-all-costs mentality.
But there have long been rumours of discontent over his“headmaster-like” leadership style and former captain Tim Paine revealed last August that players had complained to Langer about the issue.
According to a report on Foxsports.com.au, Langer doesn't want to be involved with a short-term deal of just '12- to 14-month arrangement' that would cover three sub-continental tours - the T20 World Cup at home, next summer's Test opponents South Africa and the West Indies besides the 2023 Ashes in England.
It was also reported that the 'top-secret' meeting on Friday took place just hours before coach Langer reached the Marvel Stadium to watch his former BBL club Perth Scorchers win their fourth title.
Recent reports have also underlined how Test captain Pat Cummins and white-ball skipper Aaron Finch have refused to publicly back the reappointment of Langer.
When Cummins was asked about Langer's contract extension after Australia beat England in the first of the five Ashes Test two montsh ago, the Test captain said:“I think we'll savour this victory today and continue for the Ashes, and I don't think today is the day to speculate on that. I think we'll sit down all together after this series, or whenever his tenure is up and his contract is up for renewal. In a few months we'll visit that then.”
Former captain Mark Taylor said he suspected there was a push for change within the Australian camp because Langer had achieved the goal of cleaning up the team culture after the 2018 cheating scandal.
“I suspect with Justin Langer that when he was given the job in 2018 on the back of what happened in Cape Town, it was seen at that time as, 'OK, you're the guy we need for now to bring back discipline into the side',” Taylor said.
“(Now) there's a movement - maybe by the players, maybe by Cricket Australia themselves - that (the) job has been done, and it might be time for more of a man manager and less of an absolute cricket coach and disciplinarian,” Taylor told Sydney's 2GB radio.
During his radio chat, Taylor said he was wondering why Langer was being asked to reapply for the job.
“I don't understand that, if that is the case. He had an issue...where his coaching style was criticised by the current players – and he's seemed to have sorted that out,” Taylor said.
“I think the Australian cricket authorities would know the sort of coach they're getting from Justin Langer. It's an evolving coach... Obviously he's getting better at it and the side is responding to it. So they know what they're going to get from Langer.”

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