Test cricketers told they will not have to interact with Langer on Channel 7

Cricket Australia has clarified with Channel 7 about how involved Justin Langer will be in this summer’s coverage, as CEO Nick Hockley hits back at the former coach.

Cummins and Justin Langer are reportedly planning to meet prior to next week’s first Test. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Cricket Australia has been given assurances that players will not have to interact on-air with disgruntled former coach Justin Langer in his new role at Channel 7.

Tensions are at breaking point as Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley on Wednesday came out and slammed Langer for his explosive take-down of national captains Pat Cummins and Aaron Finch, accusing him of factual inaccuracies in claiming leaders failed to give him face-to-face feedback on his coaching failings.

As revealed by News Corp, the timing of Langer’s stunning outburst came as Cummins had quietly made plans to smoke the peace pipe with Langer in Perth this week.

But 10 months’ after his exit as coach, Langer has infuriated CA and the Australian team by choosing to unload seven days before the first Test kicks off in his home town of Perth, where he is a revered figure with a grandstand named after him and could stir public support against the players.

News Corp understands that even before Langer’s stunning attack on who he labels the “cowards” of Australian cricket, CA had already sought clarification from Channel 7 about what role their new commentator might play on air this summer – clearly concerned about the prospect for friction.

Langer will serve on Channel 7’s commentary team for the upcoming Test matches. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

At pre-planning meetings with Seven, CA say they were told that Langer would be in the commentary box and would not be interacting with players in an on-air capacity on the field of play.

Seven insiders confirmed they would not put players who were uncomfortable interacting with Langer on air with him – and vice versa – but said their approach would be more nuanced than a blanket separation.

For example, if there was a panel discussion where an Australian player with a good relationship with Langer joined to talk, Seven say they would not remove Langer from that sort of interaction.

Although, for the most part interviews with players aren’t usually the domain of the commentators anyway.

In the wake of his attack on Cummins and Finch, it is possible Cricket Australia may now seek further clarification from Channel 7 about their plans for Langer this summer.

Hockley condemned Langer’s comments as “unfair” and declared he would not cop the former coach’s rewriting of history.

“We have not commented to date other than to correct inaccuracies, of which there are a number in Justin’s comments,” said Hockley.

“Regular formal and informal opportunities to provide and receive feedback took place throughout his tenure, which is consistent with a high performance environment.

“Following a comprehensive process, Justin was offered a short-term contract extension, which he rejected.

“I am disappointed by Justin’s comments unfairly criticising some of our players. The playing group are aware they have my full support.

“After an excellent performance against England in the one-day international series, we are fully focused on an exciting Test series against the West Indies and South Africa.”

Cummins recently took over as ODI captain from Aaron Finch, adding to his responsibilities as Test skipper. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Despite Langer’s criticisms of Cummins for not being upfront, it’s understood Cummins had intentions to meet with his former coach next week in Perth to ease tensions.

The timing of Langer’s exclusive interview with CODE Sports does not mean a meeting between the pair won’t happen, as it was already the Australian captain’s genuine intention to meet with Langer as he has already done with Adam Gilchrist and wants to do with other former players and prominent commentators.

Unlike Langer, who has gone on the war path one week before the first Test kicks off in his home town, Cummins has been quietly working in the background trying to rebuild relationships with former players and prominent commentators, after the ill-will that has festered since the coach’s acrimonious exit.

Langer is due to start up his commentary job with Channel 7 where he will be critiquing the Australian team during the summer, with cricketing figures concerned about the ongoing damage to the team’s reputation should Langer continue to go down a path of settling scores.

While Langer claims Cummins and Finch failed repeatedly to give him direct feedback about grievances they had over his coaching style, Langer was given feedback about his volatile style in two independent reviews and various other discussions involving senior leaders.

Cummins was planning to meet with Langer prior to next week’s opening Test against the West Indies. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Players may not have been perfect in the process, but other coaches might have read the writing that was on the wall that the dressing room had been lost and walked away.

Langer, however, was determined to fight on and scrap until the end, adamant he had changed and that the World Cup and Ashes wins last summer warranted a contract extension.

In Langer’s mind he had an open door policy and welcomed direct, honest conversations, but that’s in conflict to the experience of some players who didn’t feel Langer was quite so straightforward to deal with and were intimidated by his volatility.

Cricket Australia might have mishandled Langer’s exit from Australian cricket, but Cummins was one senior figure in the game who came out and articulately explained the reasons why the team felt it was time to head in a new direction.

There has not been any shots fired at Langer from Cummins or anyone in the current playing group since his departure, with players trying to maintain a dignified respect of a person they didn’t necessarily dislike as a person, but who had worn on them as a coach.

News Corp spoke to a number of current players on Wednesday who are feeling a range of different emotions towards Langer.

There is anger that Langer – although entitled to have misgivings about his departure – is choosing to still publicly attack players 10 months’ after his exit.

The other emotion is one of sadness at the fact Langer doesn’t appear to have moved on from what’s happened perhaps as well as he is making out.

Langer says he has never been happier, but there is genuine concern among players about how much he is struggling to let go.

Originally published as Test cricketers told they will not have to interact with Langer on Channel 7