Ashes 2021/22: Michael Clarke says Justin Langer has earned right to make his own call on his future
Walk, or not to walk, that is the question. Justin Langer has earned the right to exit on his own terms, says Michael Clarke, who then raises eyebrows with what he thinks the timing will be.
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Former Test captain Michael Clarke has tipped Justin Langer to walk away as Australian coach after the Ashes, but insists any decision on his future should be his to make.
Clarke said Australia’s historic World Cup triumph in Dubai means Langer has earned the right to exit on his own terms and called on the coach to be shown the respect he deserves this summer for what he has achieved.
Langer has indicated a desire to continue coaching Australia beyond his current deal, but Clarke senses his former teammate may feel a World Cup and Ashes triumph on home soil is the perfect note to bow out on, in what would be a dignified end to his four-year tenure.
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“I think it’s certainly up to JL. I think he’s a great coach, I think he’s the right guy to coach Australia and now he’s earned the right to walk away on his own terms,” said Clarke, who was launching next year’s World Cup in Australia, with the final confirmed for the MCG.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he does win the Ashes and then walks away because he’s achieved everything that he’s probably set out for. He’s got Australia back to No.1 and that is pretty special.
“I’d like to think he’s paid the respect he deserves now because he’s copped his fair share of criticism.”
Tim Michell is joined by cricket journos Ben Horne and Robert ‘Crash’ Craddock to review Australia’s World T20 win over New Zealand and discuss what it means for The Ashes.
Cricket Australia has said it will hold off on talks with Langer over his future until after the Ashes series, with the coach’s current contract going through to the March tour of Pakistan.
Clarke said Australia’s ability to unite together after all the pre-tournament drama surrounding Langer’s coaching style shows that the situation was overplayed.
The former Australian captain said it was a myth to think that international cricket teams don’t have differences that need to be sorted out, and said the players and Langer deserved credit for getting on with the job and combining in the pursuit of glory.
“The other lesson is not everything is rainbows and butterflies. Not everyone gets on. But the key is to have the one common goal and that is you want to win,” said Clarke.
“With every Australian team I was a part of, it was exactly that.
“We did have that common goal. Everyone has their own style, there are different personalities, there are some people that are young and single, and some people married with kids. So how you get the best out of each individual is your challenge as a leader.
“Lang has copped a lot of criticism and he deserves a lot of credit in my opinion.
“After that World Cup loss to England, it took courage to go back to what had worked and that was defining for me in regards to us winning the tournament. We went back to playing the brand of cricket that we play our best and picking the four bowlers, using the three allrounders as a fifth bowler, getting Mitchell Marsh back at No.3.”
One of Australia’s World Cup heroes, Matthew Wade, appears to have been cut out of Ashes calculations, as he flies back to Melbourne rather than landing in Brisbane on Tuesday with the rest of the Test contenders.
Clarke questioned the consistency of selectors in moving on from Wade – who played in Australia’s last Test match against India in Brisbane, yet backing in opener Marcus Harris as the incumbent opener.
The former Ashes great said Usman Khawaja would be his vote to open the batting with David Warner, but could accept the rationale for Harris if the same consistency was shown with Wade as well.
“If they’re going to go that way then they’ve probably got to start with Wadey at 5 as well. Khawaja has to fight for that second opening position. Wadey and Travis Head fight for the No.5 position and then I think Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh fight for the No.6 allrounder position,” said Clarke.
“That 40 from Wade in the (World Cup) semi-final that’s worth 150 in Shield cricket every day of the week. That’s defining for Wadey.
“For him particularly in that semi-final, I was so proud of him. And obviously Mitch as well in the final, I’ve always said he’s so talented and so skilful, so I feel like now is his time.”
Historic T20 WC win can’t buy Langer job security
Justin Langer has received luxurious praise from players and bosses for his role in World Cup glory, but it will not fast-track a decision on his future.
Australia’s stars lauded the under-siege coach for loosening his grip on the wheel and allowing players to steer the bus to World Cup glory.
The dressing room appeared in turmoil just two months out from the tournament when senior players held crisis talks with Langer and Cricket Australia administrators about his intense coaching style.
History would suggest that would have been a point of no return for most sporting teams, but the brutal honesty sessions have been the driving force behind Australia uniting and claiming the trophy they have spent the past 15 years chasing.
Cricket Australia’s head of team performance Ben Oliver said the success of the team dynamic was a credit to Langer’s resilience and quality as a coach, but maintained that no decision will be made on whether he will be granted a contract extension until after the all-defining Ashes summer.
“We discussed before the start of this summer that the focus would be very much on the World Cup and the home Ashes series and that remains in place,” Oliver said of Langer, whose current contract spans until the end of the tour of Pakistan in March.
“But certainly we’re really pleased that the team is evolving and the way the leadership is growing on and off the field, so from that point of view, Justin should be incredibly proud of what he’s been able to help achieve with the team and where they’re positioned now coming into a home Ashes.
“It’s a great credit to Justin, a great credit to Aaron (Finch) and Pat (Cummins) and a great credit to the broader senior playing group, and the staff, for the way they’ve come together for this campaign.
“Importantly there’s a real clarity I think around everyone’s role and how that comes together in the best interests of the team.
“Justin’s widely regarded and respected for his resilience, for his passion for the game, his passion for Australian cricket and I think what we’ve seen is also a willingness and openness to really evolve and support the team and the evolution of the team. I think the team is in a really good place.”
At one stage perceived as a micromanager, star Marcus Stoinis said Langer has made a conscious effort to trust those around him and let go.
“I think it’s been really obvious there’s been a change and I’ve been here for probably four years or so and it’s really nice to see the players really take ownership of the environment,” said Stoinis.
“The vibe that we’ve got going on, the support we give each other – we’ve been mates for a long time and known each other for such a long time.
“I think it’s the fact the staff and Cricket Australia are probably starting to trust that the players will build that culture we want around us. It’s a good sign for the future.”
The players say Langer has set up an environment for them to enjoy, and at the same time he appears to have rediscovered the fun of the game as well.
“I suppose everyone that wins a World Cup says it’s hard to process and hard to put into words, but this is such a special group of people. There are some amazing cricketers here who haven’t had a chance to play together for different reasons. There’s so many close relationships. This is very special for everyone,” said Langer.
“ … We also embraced the fun … and I think that’s been a really important part of our success here.”
Captain Aaron Finch – another instrumental part of helping get the Australian touring party on the same page again, said despite how it might have looked from the outside – there was no awkwardness or tension when they faced Langer again for the first time since all the drama.
“None whatsoever. It’s about having honest conversations and being really upfront and really honest. The only time there’s awkwardness is when things are happening behind the scenes and you’re trying to pull the wool over someone’s eyes,” said Finch.
“JL has been great. The vibe around the group has been unbelievable. It’s just how well everyone is getting along.
“JL has played a part in that and that’s great reward for him as well as the players.”
There was a freedom in the way Langer allowed players to operate which hadn’t been felt before.
“I think everything has been really player driven. He’s taken a big back seat and let a lot of the other staff play their roles and I think especially the players as well have taken a bit more ownership of what they’re doing in and around training and games,” said Josh Hazlewood.
Watch out England, the Aussies are back
- Robert Craddock
England beware! Australian cricket has got it’s mojo back.
And, just as importantly, it suddenly has a smile on its collective dial and the impact of that must not be underestimated.
To say that Australia’s stunning T20 World Cup win will have no bearing on the Ashes is to underestimate the rousing mental euphoria generated by such a win.
After a winter of grumbling and years of so-so results, Australia suddenly feels alive, armed and dangerous again.
It was a tournament victory very few expected but the team desperately needed and will benefit from greatly in all sorts of ways.
There’s nothing like a World Cup victory to settle down team tensions and the brutally direct conversions under siege coach Justin Langer had with his players before the tournament may well have been a blessing.
Mitchell Marsh’s story is one to inspire every aspiring cricketer when they have setbacks to JUST. KEEP. GOING.
When Marsh dropped his bat and ran screaming in celebration towards his teammates after Glenn Maxwell struck the winning runs it was the liberation of so many pent up emotions.
More than a decade has passed since Marsh was the boy wonder of Australia’s title winning under-19 World Cup squad and being freely tipped to be a future Test captain.
But things just wouldn’t happen for him.
He would rise, get injured, and fall again. Or his technique would get found out at Test level. Every half step forward would be followed by a step back. The game tormented him.
Despite being regarded as one of the game’s most amiable characters he copped bucket loads of sledges on social media and one day smiled at the fact that even when he choose the solitary sport of surfing he copped a few barbs among the waves about his batting shortfalls by fellow surfers.
But he kept grinding away and has finally found the consistency his game has been craving.
It didn’t happen by accident. Previously regarded as a heavy footed player of spin he worked hard on this aspect of his game and, while it is not his strong suit, the improvement is there for all to see.
He has always been able to find first and fourth gear but now has the ones between them as well.
The pleasing thing for Australia in victory that it went its own sweet way in the selection room.
T20 cricket was supposed to be a young man’s game yet Australia’s youngest player in its top side was Pat Cummins who could be Test captain within six months.
It proved the old mantra that World Cups are won by old fashioned hard heads rather than Flash Harry’s.
David Warner came good in a nick of time and finished the tournament in style. Adam Zampa was world class all the way and the bowler of the tournament.
Australia was in a part of the world where spinners are kings yet chose only Zampa as a specialist slow man. The pressure on him was immense. Yet he delivered every time.
That he readied himself for the Cup by bowling to under 19 batsmen from the Byron Bay region on a hastily assembled wicket added to the charm of his story.
Josh Hazlewood proved you can transfer Test match line and lengths to T20 when you add a knuckle ball and a few variations.
Australia has its anchormen but because it had such an even spread of experience there was always a seasoned performer like Marcus Stoinis or Steve Smith to step up to the plater when required.
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