Gerard Whateley speaks to Australian cricket legend and Justin Langer's close friend Adam Gilchrist in the wake of Langer being ousted as Australian cricket coach.

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Justin Langer resignation fallout – Reaction from Adam Gilchrist

Adam Gilchrist gives his frank reaction to the news that Justin Langer has resigned as Head Coach of the Australian men’s team on SEN

 

Background

Justin Langer had replaced Darren Lehmann, who resigned after the ball-tampering scandal that rocked cricket and also led to captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned in 2018.

Langer recently refused a six figure bonus from the Cricket Australia Board, because he felt it inappropriate at a time when the Board were releasing staff from their employment, and was unable to accept a yearlong extension to his contract and resigned from his post with immediate effect.

 

Cricket Australia reaction

Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said: "We are naturally disappointed Justin has decided against continuing as coach but respect his decision and wish him all the best in the future.

"Justin has been an outstanding coach of the Australian men's team over the past four years. He has restored the trust in the team and his legacy is assured."

Justin Langer's manager James Henderson tweeted: "As a player Justin retired on top after a 5-0 Ashes whitewash. Today, despite the views of a faceless few, he finishes his time as Australian cricket coach winning the T20 World Cup and the Ashes. Lest we forget what JL took over in 2018."

Hockley said there had been some "challenging, robust and direct" conversations around the "evolving" head coach role.

He said that while the plan was to keep an "overarching head coach", Australian cricket was moving to a more "shared leadership model".

Hockley said he had hoped for Langer to be a part of the "transition", adding that he had "earned the right" to defend the T20 World Cup when Australia host the tournament in October and November.

"We felt the team and the role of head coach had evolved and it was time to transition over the course of a period, so we were very clear that we were looking at a short-term extension only for Justin," Hockley said.

 

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