Justin Langer’s Lucknow Super Giants expected to try and nab one of Australia’s big three quicks

Less than two years after his messy exit from the Australian fold, Justin Langer could be reunited with Pat Cummins, or another of Australia’s famous quicks, reports DANIEL CHERNY.

Justin Langer is expected to make a play for one of Australia’s big three quicks at Tuesday night’s Indian Premier League auction, less than two years after his acrimonious exit from the national side.

But a tight salary cap could deny Langer’s Lucknow Super Giants the chance to land one of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, all of whom are up for grabs when more than 300 players go under the hammer in Dubai.

Former Test opener Langer was earlier this year appointed the new coach of the IPL expansion club following the departure of predecessor Andy Flower.

It was Langer’s first coaching position since he declined a short-term contract extension from Cricket Australia early last year, the culmination of a messy and dragged-out saga underpinned by disharmony within the playing ranks over Langer’s volatile behaviour.

Pat Cummins and Justin Langer could be reunited in the IPL. (Photo by Visionhaus)

However time has healed some of the wounds of that bruising period. Langer has been around the national side semi-regularly in his guise as a Channel 7 commentator and was involved in the promotion of this month’s Perth Test.

The Super Giants last month traded paceman Avesh Khan to Rajasthan Royals for batter Devdutt Padikkal, heightening the sense that Lucknow would be on the hunt for another paceman on Tuesday night.

Starc and Cummins are therefore both prime targets, having both nominated at the maximum reserve price of 200 lakh (approximately $366,000 AUD).

Hazlewood is considered less likely to be picked up given he will miss the early part of the season for the birth of his first child. Hazlewood had been on the books of the Royal Challengers Bangalore but was let go at the recent retention deadline because of the issue around his availability. He is more realistically an option as a replacement player during the tournament.

Langer will coach the Lucknow Super Giants. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP

Sources close to the situation expect Lucknow to be in the thick of the bidding for at least one of Starc and Cummins.

The potential stumbling block for Langer’s outfit is that the Super Giants have the least salary cap space available of all 10 IPL clubs. Lucknow enters the auction with only six spots open, of which two are for overseas players and only 13.15 crore rupees available (approximately $2.35 million AUD).

Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who was retained by Lucknow, told this masthead in October that the issues at the end of Langer’s tenure of the men’s national side were unlikely to deter the coach from picking one of the senior Aussie pacemen.

“I would not be surprised if we’re going hard at a Starc and a Cummins,” Stoinis said.

“I hope we pick up a few of the Aussie boys, one for a bit of company and two because obviously you want the best players available.

“I think as much as things weren’t ideal at the end of JL’s coaching career with Australia, I think this is a great opportunity to turn over a new leaf.”

Justin Langer with Mitchell Starc before the Pakistan Test in Perth. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

World Cup final hero Travis Head and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis are also on offer at the mini-auction, which differs to the larger auctions at which most leading players are available.

Starc has spent the best part of a decade away from the IPL, largely prioritising Australian commitments and family time, while Cummins opted out of this year’s event because of Australia’s enormous workload in 2023, a year in which the Aussies ultimately claimed the World Test Championship and one-day World Cup as well as regaining the Ashes.

Australian assistant coach Daniel Vettori has headed to the UAE for the auction, which is being held outside India for the first time. Vettori is the new coach of the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Aussie great Ricky Ponting will also be at the auction in his guise as coach of the Delhi Capitals.

There are 21 Australians on the list of 333 players available at the auction.

Originally published as Justin Langer’s Lucknow Super Giants expected to try and nab one of Australia’s big three quicks