'Wanted him out': Pat Cummins called out over 'pub chat' on Justin Langer

Former English captain Michael Vaughan has claimed a meeting between Pat Cummins, a number of players and a coaching staff member was overheard at a pub prior to Justin Langer's departure.

After months of speculation about whether Langer would remain as head coach after his contract ended in July, the former Test opener put the saga to bed when he tended his resignation earlier this month.

It came as Test captain Cummins had been reluctant to publicly back the incumbent coach.

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In the statement after his departure, Cummins acknowledged Langer's 'intensity' had clashed with players at times, but that his apology several months ago had been 'unnecessary', adding that the players knew his attitude came solely from a place of wanting to achieve the best results for the team.

Nevertheless, Cummins said the question was how to find 'the best style of coaching for the future', given the 'way the team has evolved'.

Now, Vaughan has claimed a number of English reporters overheard Cummins and a number of others speaking about Langer's future in Hobart following the fifth Ashes test.

While Vaughan said Cummins 'had done nothing wrong' as the captain of Australia he offered some advice.

And the former English captain said Cummins had to move forward as captain knowing he is 'under watch' at all times.

“I know from close contacts in the England journalistic world that Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, and Andrew McDonald were caught having conversations in a pub in Hobart. That conversation was heard by two or three British journalists," Vaughan said on Fox Sports podcast 'The Follow On'.

“My advice to Pat Cummins would be, if you’re going to have strong conversations about the potential removal of your Australian cricket coach, who was in position at the time, don’t do it at a pub. Do not do it in a public domain where you may get heard.

“That’s how all these stories started. It was quite clear that they wanted Justin Langer out, and evident they were talking about the likes of Trevor Bayliss, Michael Di Venuto and Andrew McDonald, who was in that conversation as well."

Vaughan said the players could deny his claim, but he doubled down that the journalists had overheard the captain in the meeting.

The former England captain also acknowledged that Langer has been looked at as a potential coach for England in the 2023 Ashes.

Pat Cummins acknowledges new change needed

While he was effusive in his praise for Langer, Cummins still admitted the feedback given by the players to Cricket Australia indicated a need for change.

Langer's 'intensity' was 'not the issue', he said, lauding CA's 'brave call' to pursue change during an admittedly successful time in Australian cricket.

Nevertheless, it was clear that a change was needed, he wrote.

"To be better players for Australia, from this solid foundation, we need a new style of coaching and skillset," he said.

"This was the feedback players gave to Cricket Australia. And I understand it's the feedback support staff also gave.

"I add that as professional sportspeople we would have accepted any decision CA were to make because that's what professionals do."

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