Legend’s damning truth bomb on Aussie team after Justin Langer ‘treatment’

Matthew Hayden says wouldn’t even consider coaching the Aussie men’s team, exposing a damning truth about the current side.

Cricket legend Matthew Hayden has declared he wouldn’t even consider coaching the Australian men’s team following Justin Langer’s “treatment” in the role.

Langer took charge of the national team from 2018 until his departure in early 2022, quitting after Cricket Australia offered him a six-month contract extension. According to several reports, the relationship between Langer and the playing group had deteriorated throughout the final months of his tenure, prompting crisis talks between CA chiefs and senior players.

The 52-year-old, who represented Australia in 105 Tests between 1993 and 2007, later took aim at “cowards” who didn’t provide direct feedback about the playing group’s grievances with his coaching style.

Hayden, who formed one of Australia’s most successful opening Test partnerships with Langer, criticised the lack of public backing from senior players in the lead-up to Langer’s highly-publicised resignation.

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Speaking to cricket journalist Melinda Farrell in the latest issue of Wisden Cricket Monthly, Hayden claimed he wouldn’t accept a coaching gig with the Australian’s men in the aftermath of Langer’s messy departure from the role.

“I wouldn’t (coach Australia), no,” Hayden said.

“After Justin and his treatment, I wouldn’t have any part of trying to coach Australia because I just don’t feel that’s something I would enjoy.

Former Australian Test opening pair Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden. Picture. Phil Hillyard

“I really love Australian cricket and I really love broadcasting on the current cricket team. I think they’re a magnificent team but in terms of an investment, no, it’s not something that I’d even consider.”

Hayden also noted that none of Australia’s modern greats are currently assisting the national men’s team in coaching or administration — while Langer was at the helm, former Test captains Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh helped mentor the team.

“What’s quite interesting is that there’s not a former great that is actually at the helm of Australian cricket. Not on,” Hayden continued.

“Not as a chairman of selectors, not as a coach, not as a board director. At no layer is there leadership that’s got a former great player of Australian cricket operating within that team unit.

“That, to me, is surprising considering we’ve just come out of three great eras or decades of Australian cricket.”

Hayden is a member of the commentary panel for the ongoing Men’s Cricket World Cup in India.

Originally published as Legend’s damning truth bomb on Aussie team after Justin Langer ‘treatment’