Ashes 2021-22: First Test preview, Justin Langer speaks on Tim Paine withdrawal after sexting scandal

An emotional Justin Langer has taken aim at the handling of the Tim Paine saga labelling it ‘brutal’ and ‘unforgiving’ as he commits to give back to the captain that gave so much.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 08: Tim Paine of Australia speaks with Justin Langer, coach of Australia, during day three of the First Test match in the series between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval on December 08, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Emotional Justin Langer is unsure whether Tim Paine will return to cricket and lamented the “brutal,’’ “unforgiving’’ forces which have left him a shattered man.

Australian coach Langer, who will guide Australia into next week’s Ashes Test at Gabba, broke from camp this week to visit Paine in Hobart following his withdrawal from the team after a sexting scandal.

Langer momentarily struggled to control his emotions at Saturday’s training session as he spoke about Paine’s predicament.

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“He’s one of my really close friends and someone I admire enormously,’’ Langer said.

“He‘s certainly in this generation of players … one of the best people I’ve met in the game of cricket.

“It was nice to go down and see him. He‘s obviously shattered with what’s happened.

“His life’s changed obviously. All I know is it was important to go and see him. We talk about looking after boys having each other’s backs. It was a no-brainer for me to go see him.

“It‘s a tough business, I’ve been in it for 30 years and you learn to grow and evolve. You’re always under the spotlight. We live in a world of perfectionism, don’t we?

“We’re a very judgmental society. And as I said at my very first press conference, I was asked about Steve Smith and David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, there’s not one person who’s asking questions … or who is listening to this who hasn’t made a mistake in their life.

“And our captain, one of the best, made a mistake and is paying a heavy price for it.

“I continually see in this job, and I see in this society we live in, is it can be brutal. You learn your lessons, but we live in an unforgiving society and that’s a real shame.’’

Tim Paine and Justin Langer.

Paine has taken leave on mental health grounds after news broke he had had a sexting exchange with a former employee of the Tasmanian Cricket Association.

Langer said he first heard about an “incident’’ when Paine told him as they were getting on a bus four years ago but was only informed of its details in recent weeks.

Langer is unsure whether Paine will return but it would not be during the Ashes where Australia would follow a “mission focused’’ attitude to avoid distractions.

“He absolutely loves cricket. And he‘s 37. He is a fit as any athlete, certainly in our squad. He looks after himself so well. He’s very focused. So who knows. His No. 1 priority at the moment is family as you can imagine, and that’s how it should be. I’m not sure we’ve seen the end of him. But we’ll wait and see.

“We made a commitment probably six months ago to be very mission focused and to have real clarity with everyone‘s roles in the team. When we get a chance everyone will get to catch up to Painey and keep paying him the respect he deserves.’’

Tim Paine and Justin Langer chat before a Test in Adelaide.

Langer said Australia has chosen its team for the Gabba and while he would not confirm it, it appears certain, as reported on Friday by News Corp, Travis Head will win the hotly contested No 5 spot ahead of Usman Khawaja.

Head fielded in the gully at slips training on Saturday then got prime billing against frontline bowlers in the centre wicket practice.

The hot performer tough was Mitchell Starc.

The giant left-armer was almost unplayable at times and had Marnus Labuschagne fully tested with some withering short balls which drew howls of appreciation from impressed fielders.

His work was of such a high quality that his fast bowling teammates called “shower time’’ from beyond the boundary after he had bowled only a handful of balls, as if to say nothing was going to improve on his early work and it was time to give it away for the day.

Starc has pipped Jhye Richardson for a place in the XI and if Saturday’s form is any guide he could be the man who rocks England.

The match strip has now had two days of sunlight after weeks of rain and needs only a couple more clear days to be pristine shape for the series opener.

England are yet to announce their side but the face and fire of tearaway Mark Wood in this week’s trial match impressed onlookers from both nations and he shapes as a worthy inclusion, perhaps at the expense of Jimmy Anderson or Stuart Broad.

Originally published as Ashes 2021-22: First Test preview, Justin Langer speaks on Tim Paine withdrawal after sexting scandal