Why Justin Langer's demise is a PR disaster for Pat Cummins

OPINION

The Australian cricket public's love affair with Pat Cummins is officially over after being cast as the rat that ended Justin Langer's coaching tenure.

The affable fast bowler had not put a foot wrong in the PR stakes since taking over the captaincy from Tim Paine, winning matches and fans as Australia played with a smile on its face while cleaning up the Poms in a one-sided Ashes series.

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But the Langer issue was never far from the surface, with reports the coach and his players kept their distance for most of the summer under an arrangement to stay out of each other's faces.

That Langer entered a meeting with Cricket Australia on Friday still believing he could be offered a long-term deal stunned close observers, who were acutely aware of the frostiness in the dressing-room.

Cummins, as captain, knew the coach was on the nose and could hardly talk up his credentials when the majority of the team wanted him gone.

He was like a union delegate acting on members' demands and telling management there would be massive drama if Langer stayed.

Cummins simply could not run with the hare and hunt with the hounds as that would have destroyed the respect his players have for him.

It's the price you sometimes have to pay when you go from being one of the boys to top dog.

Don’t let the whispers fool you, this was not a NSW-led mutiny as many would conveniently have you believe.

While former players and team-mates formed a conga line of support behind Langer, he hardly had any support inside the dressing-room.

Pat Cummins under fire from fans

But that hasn't stopped cricket fans – at least those located west of Broken Hill – from unloading on the skipper.

"Absolute disgraceful way to treat a champion player and a fantastic coach. Players led by Cummins should be ashamed by what they did. Used to like Pat now all I see is a rat. Pat the Rat!!!! JL deserved better," wrote one fan on Twitter, summing up the mood of many.

Another added: "Disgraceful behaviour from Pat Cummins. By not supporting Langer, Cummins did the dirty work for Cricket Australia."

Others were a lot more scathing in their assessment of Cummins, who now fully comprehends why they call the Australian cricket captaincy the second toughest gig in the country.

But while those on the other side of the pickets are frothing at the mouth, Cummins will take a squad to Pakistan more united than ever under a leader willing to stand up for them.

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