The Ashes 2019: Justin Langer insists series won’t turn into bouncer war as Aussies eye big prize

The Headingley pitch promises to be slower but it likely won’t stop Jofra Archer and Pat Cummins trading bouncers this week. But Justin Langer has made it clear he has other more important things on his mind.

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Australia’s bowlers have been urged not to respond to Steve Smith’s frightening concussion with a barrage of bouncers that would breathe fire into an already hostile Ashes series.

Coach Justin Langer said the blueprint for success was to take wickets – and not hit helmets – with his men told to park their egos and back their skills when the third Test commences in Leeds on Thursday.

“We know what our plans are to beat England. What we’re not going to do is get caught up in an emotional battle of who’s going to bowl the quickest bouncers,” Langer said.

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The Jofra Archer bouncer barrage isn’t expected to relent in Leeds

“We’re here to win the Test match, not to see how many helmets we can hit.

“And that’s the truth, we are literally here to win the Test match and we have our plans on how we think we can beat England.”

Former England captain Mike Atherton told Langer this Aussie team appeared considerably less “macho” then previous ones, where fast bowlers would grow their beards, puff their chests out and aim to bowl as fast as possible.

The remodelled approach has seen Mitchell Starc left on the bench for the first two Tests with the control of Peter Siddle preferred.

Marnus Labuschagne is assessed after being struck by a Mitchell Starc delivery in the nets.

“We’re here to win the Test match, not to see how many bruises we can give,” Langer said.

“That’s not winning Test matches, trust me, you can’t get out with a bruise on your arm.

“So we’ll pick the team we think will win it, this is a different ground, we think the wicket will be quite slow, it’s not going to be as fast as some of the other wickets we’ve seen.

“The bouncer will still be part of every bowler’s armoury, if it helps us get batsmen out then we’ll use it, otherwise we’ll keep sticking to the plan.”

While Ashes baby Jofra Archer lit up Lord’s with terrifying spells on Test debut that concussed Smith and then floored his concussion substitute replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, it was the World Cup hero’s economy rate that really impressed Langer.

Justin Langer hopes the Aussie bowlers stick to their plans.

Archer took 5-91 from 44 overs across both innings, an economy rate of 2.07, to complement his express pace.

“His economy rate was incredible,” Langer said.

“That is unbelievable bowling, it’s skilful bowling and he bowled some fast bouncers in between.”

Langer all but confirmed Labuschagne would replace Smith in the sole change to the batting line-up although the attack was still being discussed.

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“We saw that in the Sydney Test match against India (Labuschagne’s) feet were just flying,” Langer said.

“In the first innings of that practice game at Hampshire when it was tough conditions his ability to go forward and back and leave the ball, his hunger for making runs, his hunger for batting, he’s got some exciting talent.

“He played well, he took the opportunity and he will earn great respect for that within the change-room as well as outside the change-room.”

Originally published as The Ashes 2019: Justin Langer insists series won’t turn into bouncer war as Aussies eye big prize