'Sad day': Cricket greats lash 'embarrassing' Justin Langer exit
Test legend Ricky Ponting has led the backlash against Justin Langer's resignation as Australian coach, calling it a "sad day" for the sport and labelling Cricket Australia (CA) "embarrassing".
Langer's management company on Saturday confirmed that the 51-year-old had decided to resign as Australia's coach, effective immediately.
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"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."
The former coach's future had been a point of contention since senior players met with CA's hierarchy last August to raise concerns over his intense nature.
Langer, like many others in the cricket world, were left baffled by CA's decision not to extend his contract after he helped steer the national side to a T20 World Cup title and a 4-0 Ashes series thrashing in the space of two months.
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.
Ultimately, the protracted contract standoff proved the last straw for Langer, who could be excused for thinking he deserved an extended deal.
Just moments after it was revealed Langer had resigned from his post and would not coach Australia again, Ponting came out in support of his ex-teammate.
In a telling radio interview, Ponting said he thought it was clear that Langer had been pushed out by CA, given he wanted to continue on in the role.
"It's been a really poor six months with the way Cricket Australia have handled some of the better people in Australian cricket," Ponting told ABC.
"Those being Justin Langer and Tim Paine (at the start of the summer).
"I think it's been almost embarrassing the way they handled those two cases."
Ponting admitted he was disappointed Pat Cummins had not publicly backed the coach, but said he understood the captain was in a difficult situation.
Ponting claimed it was "a very small group" of players and other support staff that had grown tired of Langer's intense style, prompting his exit after a 4-0 Ashes win and maiden Twenty20 World Cup victory.
"That's been enough to force a man that has put his life and heart and soul into Australian cricket," Ponting said.
"And (someone who has) done a sensational job of turning around the culture and the way the Australian cricket team has been looked at over the past three or four years.
"I actually think it's a really sad day as far as Australian cricket is concerned."
Langer's former Test opening partner Matthew Hayden echoed Ponting's frustration on Instagram.
“In a game I love so much, right now I am so disappointed in the way the entire process of selecting our national coach has been handled. This garbage has gone on long enough!” Hayden posted.
Former Ausssie fast bowler Mitchell Johnson added: “It‘s very disappointing to watch the treatment of one of the very best humans in cricket, on & off the field. Makes you wonder how the future looks & also makes you wonder why would you want to coach the Australian cricket team.”
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Incredibly, Langer's exit could open the door for the almost unthinkable situation of the 51-year-old taking over England's vacant coaching role.
Andrew Strauss - English cricket's new head honcho - offered more credence to those rumours by admitting his side wouldn't rule out the prospect of chasing Langer.
Speaking just hours before Langer quit his post as Australia's coach, Strauss conceded Langer could be an option to replace recently departed England coach, Chris Silverwood.
Strauss and Langer share a close relationship, having played together at Middlesex.
The former England captain has since taken over as English cricket's temporary managing director, after Ashley Giles stepped down from the role this week following the Ashes debacle.
"I know him well and on the surface he's done a very good job with that Australian cricket team so I wouldn't rule him out (for the coaching job)," said Strauss.
He did add, though: "I'm sure there are plenty of others as well."
On a day when batting coach Graham Thorpe became the third person to go following the Ashes, Strauss added: "I personally feel someone with an outside view who can check and challenge the thoughts within the dressing room is a healthy thing."
Strauss' comments come after former England Test captain Michael Vaughan implored cricket officials to go after Langer if he was to become a free agent.
with AAP
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