Ashes 2022: Justin Langer Aussie coaching future looking ominous as Trevor Bayliss enters fray

Player power could ultimately have a significant say in the next Aussie Test coach as the push to replace Justin Langer with a former England coach gathers real momentum.

Trevor Bayliss is firming as the next Aussie Test coach.

Trevor Bayliss and Andrew McDonald could split the coaching roles for Australia if Justin Langer doesn’t have his contract renewed after the Ashes.

Media reports out of the UK claim there is a push inside the Australian dressing room for former England coach Bayliss to take the reins of the Test team.

Cricket Australia have committed to making a decision on whether Langer has his contract renewed after the Ashes series, which means discussions could come to a head as early as next week after the fifth Test is wrapped up in Hobart.

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Trevor Bayliss is firming as the next Aussie Test coach.

A showdown is looming because Langer has confirmed he wants to continue on in the role, and a Twenty20 World Cup triumph and a dominant Ashes series victory gives him a strong case for a new deal when he fronts CA bosses.

However, despite the team’s run of success, chief executive Nick Hockley and captain Pat Cummins have declined to endorse Langer for an extension – pointing out discussions won’t begin until after the series.

The prospects appear ominous for Langer continuing and the feeling behind the scenes change is likely, although he is contracted until mid-year and it is not known how quickly discussions will progress.

CA’s head of team performance Ben Oliver has confirmed player opinion would be taken into consideration.

“The commitment we had was to really focus on these two campaigns. And pleasingly that‘s worked out really well with the team performing as they have,” said Oliver.

“And then we‘ll pick-up those conversations as we always do. We always seek feedback from players and staff.

Andrew McDonald is being tipped to coach one of the white ball teams.

“We‘re about trying to get better. And that goes for our coaching staff. It goes through our players and everyone who’s around the team. So we’ll do that as a matter of course, after the series is completed and the players’ feedback on a range of factors, including how we best support them, will be considered in that process.

“Justin’s done a great job. I think he’s really embraced the conversations that were had over the winter and he’s really evolved and leaned into that.

“He’s got a greater group of staff around him. They’ve all done an incredible job creating the conditions for the team to perform as they have and ultimately claim a World Cup T20 title and this Ashes series.”

At the very least, there will be strong consideration given to splitting up the role of head coach to cope with the ever-increasing strain on international travel, bubbles and clashing series.

For example, in March, the Australian Twenty20 team will play in New Zealand as the same time as the Test team goes to battle in Pakistan – so it seems natural to have a splitting off of responsibilities.

Langer’s predecessor Darren Lehmann was adamant the role needed to be split when he was in charge, and Langer’s experience through the pandemic would only reinforce that the job is too much for one man.

Justin Langer may be coming to the end of his Aussie coaching tenure.

Reports claim Bayliss has emerged as a favourite among senior Australian players.

Bayliss is currently the coach of the Sydney Thunder, but doesn’t currently have a deal in the IPL, after being replaced by Tom Moody at Sunrisers Hyderabad.

McDonald is the current Australian assistant coach and would be well credentialed to steer one of the white ball formats if CA decided to go down that path.

Originally published as Ashes 2022: Justin Langer Aussie coaching future looking ominous as Trevor Bayliss enters fray