Langer’s fate remains on a knife edge

Australia’s Test cricketers know now the shape of the upcoming tour of Pakistan but who will coach them remains up in the air as CA announces it is conducting sensitive negotiations.

Justin Langer may be offered a two year deal Picture: Getty Images

Australia’s Test cricketers know now the shape of the upcoming tour of Pakistan and that it does not include a warm-up game, but things they do not know include the small matter of whether Justin Langer will be their coach.

Cricket Australia said on Friday night discussions would continue with the coach over the weekend, which indicates he has been offered a new contract.

“Cricket Australia can confirm that the CA board met today and part of that meeting involved significant discussions about men’s head coach Justin Langer’s contract,” it said in a statement.

“We will now enter into confidential discussions with Justin and the outcome will be announced as soon as possible.”

Watch The Dettol T20 Series Australia vs Sri Lanka. Every Game Live & On-Demand on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

It was assumed Langer would be offered a contract extension of around 24 months, but whether he chooses to accept that will be decided in the next few days. His management could not be contacted at the time of publication.

The directors confirmed Australia’s first tour of Pakistan in 24 years would begin with a Test in Rawalpindi on March 4.

The board was also expected to be presented with the five candidates on the short list to be the next permanent chair after Earl Eddings stood aside last year.

Even if Langer is offered an extension he may choose to walk away after being exposed to an unnecessarily protracted period of uncertainty and criticism.

The lukewarm support of senior players, including Test captain Pat Cummins, has taken its toll and Langer flies home to Perth on Saturday to see his family for the first time since September last year.

On Thursday, England sacked its coach Chris Silverwood who was on the wrong end of a 4-0 Ashes series in Australia. Just 24 hours earlier it parted ways with director of cricket Ashley Giles.

Silverwood took over from Australian Trevor Bayliss whose name has been floated as a possible successor to Langer while English cricket commentators, led by Michael Vaughan, are calling for that country to swoop on Langer.

It would seem more likely, however, that if Langer is denied an extension or walks away that his role would be taken by assistant Andrew McDonald.

Australia looks set to fly to Pakistan around February 26 and has abandoned the idea of playing any type of tour match ahead of the three Tests. Instead, players from Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and NSW have the option to play in the Sheffield Shield which recommences with two games starting on February 9.

Tasmania and Western Australia do not have a game before the plane leaves which means players including exciting young all-rounder Cameron Green, have no game practice before the first Test. The complicating factor for players like David Warner, Steve Smith, Cummins and Mitchell Starc is they also have a T20 series against Sri Lanka

Players were keen to keep the length of the tour short but entering a Test series without a proper warm up – as England did this summer – is an unusual approach.

Cummins indicated on Thursday that some still have concerns about returning to the country which Australia has not toured since 1998.

“I think we’ll get close to a full-strength squad,” Cummins said. “There is still a little bit of work to do. We have received a lot of information and it has been great. All the pre-tour security and biosecurity work has been done and it’s been fantastic.

“There are a couple of players still keen to get a bit more information but everyone is really pumped and feeling relatively comfortable. If anyone doesn‘t make the tour it is absolutely okay, we will back them for sure.”

The Sheffield Shield fixture released on Friday is uneven and will rely on a percentage system to determine the trophy winner as administrators and players battle with the fatigue of biosecurity bubbles and the frustrations of border closures. Queensland is scheduled to play nine matches for the season, Tasmania and South Australia eight, while New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia will play seven under the revised fixture

“Through close consultation with all stakeholders, we have confirmed a schedule which we believe to be in the best interests of players, match officials, support staff and fans,” Cricket Australia’s head of cricket operations Peter Roach said.

“Following a fairly challenging KFC BBL period, the medical advice we received recommended a short break post BBL, along with a break somewhere within the remaining fixtures to allow participants a breather from the recommended playing protocols.

“Whilst Cricket Australia want to maximise the number of matches played in pivotal domestic competitions, the health and wellbeing of participants is a priority. Our domestic competitions are amongst the strongest in the world, and we want teams to have the opportunity to field their best squads, and players and staff to have the opportunity to be at their best when given the opportunity.”