'Effective immediately': Justin Langer bombshell rocks Aussie cricket
Justin Langer's stint as Australian cricket coach is over after a bombshell announcement on social media on Saturday.
Langer's future as Australia's coach has been under a cloud for weeks, despite several discussions with Cricket Australia (CA) bosses, who said the 51-year-old's future would be sorted after the Ashes series.
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Following a marathon board meeting on Friday, CA simply vowed to "enter into confidential discussions" with Langer about whether or not to extend his contract, which was set to run out in mid-2022.
Langer's position was a priority of the discussions in Melbourne after months of speculation, even after Australia's recent 4-0 Ashes demolition of England and the breakthrough Twenty20 World Cup title in November.
However, the 51-year-old's management company on Saturday confirmed that Langer had decided to resign as Australia's coach, effective immediately.
"DSEG confirms that our client Justin Langer has this morning tendered his resignation as coach of the Australian men's cricket team," Langer's management group posted on social media.
"The resignation follows a meeting with Cricket Australia last evening. The resignation is effective immediately."
DSEG confirms that our
client Justin Langer has this morning tendered his resignation as coach of the Australian mens cricket team.
The resignation follows a meeting with Cricket Australia last evening. The resignation is effective immediately.— DSEG (@DSEGWorldwide) February 5, 2022
CA have since confirmed they offered the former opening batter a short-term deal in a meeting on Friday, which would have allowed him to defend his Twenty20 World Cup title at year's end.
But that offer did little to please Langer, who believed he should continue on in the role long-term after a summer that netted Australia its first T20 title and a 4-0 Ashes romp.
Justin Langer's coaching record speaks for itself
Langer's call to finish up came after Friday's meeting with CA, with Australia now without a coach less than a month out from their tour of Pakistan.
The 51-year-old's future had been a point of contention since senior players met with Cricket Australia's hierarchy last August to raise concerns over his intense nature.
On the field though, Langer has enjoyed much success as the national team's mentor.
His 55.5 per cent win record in Test cricket is second only to John Buchanan among all Australian coaches.
He also led Australia's first retention of the Ashes in England in 18 years in 2019, before winning the series 4-0 this summer, as well as claiming a maiden T20 World Cup title.
But throughout Australia's successful summer it became clear players were not willing to publicly endorse an extension of his contract.
Andrew McDonald is now expected to take over in the interim, having previously coached the side on white-ball tours in the absence of Langer.
McDonald is also the favourite to assume the role on a full-time basis with Trevor Bayliss and Jason Gillespie the other most likely candidates.
with AAP
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