Langer appointed as new Australia men’s coach

• Cricket365
• May 3, 2018

Cricket Australia (CA) have announced WA boss Justin Langer as the new Head Coach of the Australian Men’s Cricket Team.

Langer will coach Australia in all three formats of the game and will commence in the role on 22 May, for a four-year term taking in two Ashes Series, a World Cup and World T20 tournament.

The 47-year-old enjoyed a decorated playing career, representing Australia in 105 Test matches and eight ODI matches.

In Test cricket, he scored more than 7,500 runs – including 23 centuries – and was an integral member of the Australian men’s team during one of the most successful eras of all time.

His playing career spanned almost 20 years, in which he played 360 first-class matches and scored more than 28,000 first class runs.

As a coach, Langer has been Head Coach of Western Australia and the Perth Scorchers since November 2012.

He has led the Scorchers to Big Bash League championships on three occasions, the most of any coach, in 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2016-17, and the Warriors to One-Day Cup titles twice, in 2014-15 and 2017-18.

Langer has also been involved in the Australian men’s team set-up on multiple occasions. He was an assistant coach for three years from November 2009, before taking up head coaching roles with Western Australia and Perth Scorchers.

He has also twice been Australia’s head coach on an interim basis, in an ODI Tri-Series in the Caribbean in 2016, and in a T20 International Series on home soil against Sri Lanka in 2017.

Cricket Australia CEO, James Sutherland, said: “We are thrilled to appoint Justin as Bupa Support Team Head Coach of the Australian Men’s Cricket Team,” Mr Sutherland said.

“Whilst Darren Lehmann was not due to complete his term until next year, we have had a succession plan in place for this role for some time.

“In addition to professional development opportunities, this plan has included several coaches stepping into the head role to relieve Darren at times, and to also provide support roles, including Justin, and forms part of our long running succession planning process.

“The plan has allowed us to consider several worthy candidates, but Justin was the clear standout, particularly based on his recent coaching and player development achievements.

“We firmly believe Justin is the right person to lead this team and have huge confidence in what he will bring to the role.

“As an international cricketer, Justin was a proud and courageous competitor who gave his all for his country. As a coach he has enjoyed success – not only in overseeing strong teams, but also in developing cricketers who are ready to play international cricket for Australia.

“To illustrate this, Western Australia has more nationally-contracted male players than any other state for 2018-19.

“Justin’s work ethic, leadership and values are among his strongest attributes – and he is widely respected across the global cricket community,” concluded Mr Sutherland.

Langer will also play a role on the Rick McCosker player review panel, as announced earlier in the week.

Speaking on his appointment, new Bupa Support Australian Men’s Head Coach, Justin Langer, said:

“It is humbling to be appointed as coach of the Australian Men’s Cricket Team.

“I would like to thank the Western Australian Cricket Association and the Perth Scorchers for their support over the past six seasons, and for giving me the opportunity to lead and work with two great teams and many exceptional people.

“I’d like to especially thank my family for being with me on this journey and for supporting me in accepting this position.

“I am very excited about the scope I now have to coach the country that supported me so much in my cricketing career.

“There will be some significant challenges ahead for our group, but there is a wealth of talent in Australian cricket that I know will do us all proud.

“I’m thoroughly looking forward to working with all players, as we strive for a successful men’s team across all formats, with the support and respect of the Australian public,” concluded Langer.