'It's crazy': Former players slam Justin Langer contract drama

Two prominent former Test stars have hit out at Cricket Australia's decision not to extend coach Justin Langer's contract after reports emerged that the Aussie mentor was being made to reapply for his job.

CA has flatly rejected widespread reports that last week's meeting with Langer turned sour when the head coach was told he may have to reapply for his role.

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Langer wants to continue as coach after overseeing a 4-0 Ashes win, preceded by Australia's maiden Twenty20 World Cup title.

But his position beyond June remains in doubt, amid reported ongoing unrest among Australia's players about his coaching style.

In an extraordinary move, CA on Tuesday broke its long-held position of refusing to comment on discussions with Langer as they consider whether to extend his tenure.

Langer is off-contract in June and met with CA's chief executive Nick Hockley and high performance manager Ben Oliver last Friday.

Numerous media reports indicate the meeting became heated when CA suggested to Langer he may have to reapply for his position - a notion CA has strongly denied.

"While we do not comment on confidential conversations, we felt on this occasion it was important to correct the record," CA said in a statement on Tuesday.

"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.

"Justin has always been contracted as head coach through to the middle of this year and we have consistently maintained that discussions around the future of the role would commence following the conclusion of the men's Ashes series.

"Friday's meeting was the first time that we had the opportunity to meet together in person, reflect on the team's success and discuss the road ahead.

"We will continue with this process and make an announcement once it is complete."

Some reports said Langer went “ballistic” when told he may have to reapply for the coaching role, with former Test teammate Damien Martyn among those to question why CA hasn't already extended his contract.

“It’s crazy … Took us from our darkest days to here,” Martyn said about Langer's role in rebuilding Australian cricket after the sandpaper scandal in South Africa in 2018.

Martyn also took aim at the way the leaks had come out about Langer and last week's meeting with CA.

The former Aussie batsman even posted a poll to gauge whether fans thought Langer should stay on as Australia's coach.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan also questioned why CA had not extended Langer's contract, considering he helped guide Australia to a T20 World Cup title and a comprehensive Ashes series victory that returned his former side to No.1 in the world Test rankings.

Players fail to endorse contract extension for Justin Langer

Last August, the dressing room ructions became public and Langer has since openly admitted to toning down his renowned intensity.

Langer has given his assistant coaches Andrew McDonald and Michael Di Venuto more control of Australian squads while also affording players a greater input.

But some pundits have noted an unwillingness of players, including Test captain Pat Cummins, to publicly express support for Langer being offered a fresh contract.

CA's board is expected to meet on Friday, where Oliver and Hockley will detail their meeting with Langer.

The West Australian was appointed coach on a four-year deal after Australia's infamous ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in March 2018, replacing Darren Lehmann who quit at the end of that infamous Test series.

Australia's next fixtures are a five-match T20 series against Sri Lanka from February 11 to 20 but Langer will not be at the helm, taking a break while McDonald acts as head coach.

The Australians are then scheduled to tour Pakistan in March and play three Tests and three one-dayers.

with AAP

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