Pat Cummins hits back at cricket greats over Justin Langer drama
Aussie cricket captain Pat Cummins addressed the criticism of legends of the game after staying silent during the Justin Langer coaching debacle.
Cummins had been yet to comment on Langer's decision to step down from the job, which came after he was only offered a six-month contract extension from Cricket Australia.
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Langer's contract had been due to expire in July, but with players unhappy about his no-nonsense coaching style and only a short-term offer on the table, the former Test opener opted instead to vacate his position as coach.
The debacle drew criticism from legends of the game including Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden, Steve Waugh and Michael Clarke.
One of the biggest critics was former fast-bowler Mitchel Johnson who took aim at Cummins in particular.
The plethora of legends coming out and taking aim at the process, which saw Langer leave, started to mount.
On Wednesday, Cummins finally broke his silence and addressed the issue.
And he also had some words for the former legends of the game that took aim at the current crop of players.
"To all past players, I want to say this - just has you have always stuck up for your mates, I'm sticking up for mine," he said in a statement.
During a media conference, Cummins responded to a question about Johnson's targeted criticism.
“I know,” Cummins joked.
“I can’t believe a fast bowler’s having a go at me. He’s just standing up for his mates. I absolutely disagree with what he said. No, he hasn’t reached out, but that’s fine. He’s entitled to his opinion, he’s standing up for his mate. I can hold my head high so I’m fine.”
“I actually haven’t really had much of it (personal criticism) before, so it’s actually been good to get it out of the way early in the captaincy,” he also said with a smile.
“I knew when I took on the job it’s gonna come with added scrutiny. The last week’s been good … I’ll cop it, but I’m absolutely fine with it. I know a lot of it’s come from the right place. We all want to do what’s best for Australian cricket.”
Pat Cummins claims change was needed
In the statement, Cummins acknowledged Langer's 'intensity' had clashed with players at times, but that his apology several months ago had been 'unnecessary', adding that the players knew his attitude came solely from a place of wanting to achieve the best results for the team.
Nevertheless, Cummins said the question was how to find 'the best style of coaching for the future', given the 'way the team has evolved'.
"Justin has acknowledged that his style was intense. And it was," Cummins wrote.
"He has apologised to players and staff for his intensity. I think his apology was unnecessary. Because the players were OK with JL's intensity.
"It came from a good place - his fierce love of Australia and the baggy green - something which has served Australian cricket well over three decades."
Langer's 'intensity' was 'not the issue', he said, lauding CA's 'brave call' to pursue change during an admittedly successful time in Australian cricket.
Nevertheless, it was clear that a change was needed, he wrote.
"To be better players for Australia, from this solid foundation, we need a new style of coaching and skillset," he said.
"This was the feedback players gave to Cricket Australia. And I understand it's the feedback support staff also gave.
"I add that as professional sportspeople we would have accepted any decision CA were to make because that's what professionals do."
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