Aussie team culture set from top as Justin Langer’s work ethic bears Ashes fruit
Substance over style was in Justin Langer’s DNA long before he took the reigns of the Australian men’s cricket team. And that driving ethos has proved a vital ingredient in the side’s revival.
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Discipline and dedication. Substance over style. And, above all, a tireless work ethic.
They’re the hallmarks of Australia’s drought-breaking Ashes success. And share a distinct link with Manchester United’s era of dominance under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.
At the head of the Australian ship is Langer, a famously diligent trainer who values hard work above all else.
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As a player, Langer wasn’t necessarily the most gifted player in the team – but he possessed an iron will and squeezed every ounce out of his talent to score 23 Test centuries and 7696 runs.
Substance over style.
It’s been in Langer’s DNA long before it became a central theme for this team.
Before the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Langer and his former Australian captain Steve Waugh – now a member of Langer’s support staff – met with Ferguson.
The trio had lunch, where the Australian pair were able to pick the brain of one of sport’s greatest modern day man managers.
It was there that Langer realised just how similar his approach to coaching was to Ferguson who, with 48, has won more trophies than any manager in football history.
Ferguson gave an insight into his hard edge when he told a tale of how he installed a club-wide edict that only members of the first team would be able to wear coloured boots.
Flair wasn’t necessarily a frowned-upon trait at Old Trafford, but it was certainly secondary to hard graft and perfecting the basics.
“That says something about the culture of Manchester United,” says Steve Waugh.
“Until you’re in the top side you’ve got to work hard to get there. It’s all about work ethic and getting the right type of people playing in the top side.”
There’s no such shoe ban on Langer’s watch, but the heavy emphasis on bringing your best to training - a point which is often rammed home via an inspirational quote, plastered on the team white board – is important.
It’s no surprise that, under Langer, the likes of cricket obsessed Marnus Labuschagne have emerged as integral members of the team.
“(Manchester United) is a great organisation and had huge success under Sir Alex Ferguson – 26 years, 48 trophies,” Waugh adds.
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“I think we’re on a similar track, it’s about getting the right type of people out there.
“(Ferguson) was big about (how) he’d rather have substance over style and that was similar to Justin Langer’s philosophy. It’s the type of people you pick in the organisation that’s really important.”
One of those people, of course, is Tim Paine.
The ‘accidental captain’ is far from the typical skipper of the lead-from-the-front Ricky Ponting variety. But, having been given a second crack at the international game after nearly retiring to work for Kookaburra, he’s determined to squeeze every drop out of his career.
For that, he’s earned the absolute respect of his teammates.
After the series-opening win at Edgbaston, Paine singled out star batsman Steve Smith, who’d scored twin centuries in a man-of-the-match performance, and spinner Nathan Lyon, who bowled Australia to victory, for special praise.
Not just because of their individual performances, rather their determination to improve despite being the best in their craft on the planet.
“(Lyon’s) a bit the same as Smithy, I feel like every Test match or series they seem to get better which is astonishing at their age,” Paine explained.
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“But I think if you come and watch both of them train you see why they keep improving and keep getting better and are a great example for the rest of our group.”
Work ethic and discipline are the cornerstones of this Australian team. It’s the Langer way.
And Waugh believes it’s setting this team on the path to once again becoming the world No.1.
“For him it’s almost an obsession,” Waugh told SEN.
“He wants his team to get better, he wants his team to be the best team in the world and he has a plan.
“And so far it’s going really well. He brings a complete and utter commitment to Australian cricket and that’s something we’re very lucky to have.”