Australia news: Usman Khawaja urges Pat Cummins to clear the air

Australia batsman Usman Khawaja has called on captain Pat Cummins to come out and clear the air regarding the circumstances which led to Justin Langer’s resignation as coach.

A number of Australia greats have come out in support of Langer, amid suggestions the senior players in the squad was no longer willing to work with the former opener.

Whilst admitting he is not privy to any information regarding Langer’s departure, Khawaja feels Cummins needs to speak to the public to set the record straight.

“I didn’t really know what was going on. I wasn’t part of the process. I just came back into the team a few months ago,” Khawaja, who recently returned to the Test fold after more than two years out, told the media.

“I’ve been a little bit out of it.”

Considering the players have largely been blamed for Langer’s exit, Khawaja also called on one-day skipper Aaron Finch to address the matter.

Clear the air talks needed

“There’s obviously a lot of ex-players talking about the playing group,” Khawaja added.

“I think at some stage, one of the captains, ‘Finchy’ or Patty, will probably have to stand up and answer some questions just to get rid of all the speculation that’s going around and to just put an end to it all.”

Nevertheless, Khawaja was taken aback at some of the criticism aimed at Cummins, who took over the side under difficult circumstances and led them against England with aplomb.

“But people, not only ‘JL’ but a lot of the older players, just like us, are very; passionate about the game,” the stylish left-hander continued.

“They want to see the best out of the game. It all comes from a really good spot.

“I understand that everyone‘s got their opinions but I also know that everyone just cares about the game.

“It’s not coming from a very vindictive (place), or there are no agendas … at some stage there’ll be hard questions asked to CA and to the senior group, and I’m sure they’ll come out and be open and honest and give all the reasons they need to.”

Khawaja also confirmed he had spoken with Langer since his departure, and sympathises with his predicament.

“I feel for the man himself because I’ve got along with Justin for a long time,” Khawaja concluded.

“I love him as a bloke, he’s a legend, and on a personal level, whether I got dropped or whether he’s not the Australian coach, we both have that relationship.

“He brought humility back to the Australian team … I know what we played like before he was coach and I know what we played like when he was coach.”