Pat Cummins provides clarity, shares players point of view on Justin Langer

Even after winning the Ashes 4-0, the Australian dressing room was in a pretty bad situation. As Justin Langer handed in his resignation as the head coach of the Australian team, he mentioned in his letter regarding a possible rift with the captain, other players and the support staff. He himself mentioned that he used to be ‘intense’ in the dressing room but that was only because he wanted the team to get better and better. Ever since that incident happened, many Australian legends like Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist blamed the Australian board for not being able to deal with the situation properly and the players were also facing a lot of criticisms lately.

The newly appointed red ball captain of the Australian team gave some clarity on the matter and narrated his side of the story in a statement. Pat Cummins clearly stated that the team had no problem with Justin’s ‘intense’ style. Rather the team understands and is okay with that intensity. Cummins said, “Justin has acknowledged that his style was intense. And it was. He has apologised to players and staff for his intensity. I think the apology was unnecessary. Because the players were OK with JL’s intensity and Justin’s intensity drove a better team culture and higher team standards”.

Cummins in the statement has mentioned that the Australian board had asked all the players regarding feedback and also invited the players and the staff for an evaluation. On that day, the players and the support staff proposed that the team needs a new style of coaching and skill set for the betterment of the team.

“To be better player for Australia, from this solid foundation, we need a new style of coaching and skill set. This was the feedback the players gave to the board and it is the feedback I understand the support staff also gave. We welcome that the board invited the players and staff to contribute in the evaluation”.

Cummins also went on to say that many former players have reached out to him and offered their advice but to which Cummins said, “Just as you have always stuck up to your mates, I’m sticking for mine”.

Thus, the captain who was pretty much the villain of the story suddenly became a hero after clarifying things in the best possible way. Even after all these, Justin was offered a short extension till the T20 World Series but the legend refused. Andrew McDonald will serve as the interim head coach of the team until the board finalises a name.