Cricket sleuths unravel Justin Langer’s toastie ban in explosive report

An explosive report about Justin Langer has prompted an amusing hunt for the cricketer who attempted to sneak a toastie onto the Test arena.

Australia head coach Justin Langer.

An explosive report about Justin Langer’s coaching style has sparked debate among cricket pundits, who are desperate to uncover which player attempted to sneak a toasted sandwich onto the field in a Test match.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that players have been worn down by Langer’s mood swings and overbearing management style as they spent a draining summer confined to biosecurity bubbles.

The report refers to frustration within the inner sanctum about Langer’s inability to connect with players, and also suggests stars have been more inclined to turn to assistant coach Andrew McDonald for advice.

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But one unusual detail of the report fascinated cricket fans, with Langer banning a player from snacking on a toastie during the recent Gabba Test against India.

“You’re walking on against India, we’re trying to win a Test match and one of our players walks on with a toasted sandwich in his hand,” Langer said.

“I spoke to (the player) about it at length yesterday. I said, ‘How do you reckon it looks, mate?’ Is that not something I should say?”

Australian coach Justin Langer.

Internet sleuths were eager to work out who the toastie fanatic was, many theorising No. 3 batsman Marnus Labuschagne was the most likely culprit.

Cricket journalist Melinda Farrell tweeted: “I know this is a serious story but I really want more details on the toastie. Was it wrapped in anything? What was the filling? Wouldn’t you get greasy pockets?”

Sydney Morning Herald sports reporter posted: “Any word on what was in the toastie?”

CricViz analyst Ben Jones tweeted: “I’m sure there’s a good pun to be made about toasties, but nothing will be as funny as Australia losing at the Gabba to an attack that barely plays FC cricket.”

ABC News journalist Sam Wilkinson posted: “Some players have been irked by Justin Langer’s request to a player that they … *checks notes* not jam a toasted sandwich in their pocket to eat on the field.”

Listening to Marnus at 1:40 and I won’t accept it was anyone else https://t.co/SFqKndCV4y

— Rob Stow (@YahYah_Gunn) January 29, 2021

I assume Dave Warner asked one of the younger players to stick the toastie down their pants for him?

— Reg Roberts (@RugbyReg) January 29, 2021

Fox Cricket reminding everyone tonight about the time Nic Maddinson helped himself to a toastie during a domestic one-dayer a few years back! #BBL08 pic.twitter.com/wOrNGwCfBO

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 11, 2019

READ MORE: It’s time to turn Marnus’ microphone off

Langer’s love-hate relationship with the Test side was evident during popular Amazon docu-series The Test, in which a film crew was granted exclusive access to the Australian changerooms during the 2018/19 series against India.

In episode four, former Australian batsman Usman Khawaja candidly told Langer some players within the squad were “intimated” by his brash coaching style.

“I think the boys are intimidated by you. There’s a bit of that walking on eggshells sort of thing,” Khawaja said.

“I feel like the boys are afraid to say it. Let me clear this up, this is no way us saying we are losing because of this … batsmen are not saying that this is going to make us score hundreds, that is a different story.”

In the same episode, Australian Test captain Tim Paine told Langer the batsmen would benefit from some more positive feedback.

“I know you won’t agree but they feel they want just a little bit more positivity,” Paine said.

“They think they know now what they are doing wrong, but at times they feel they are going out in the middle worrying too much about that. Just a slightly more positive message around batting at times.”

Langer coaches the Australian men’s side in all three formats and is a member of the national selection panel.

— with James Matthey