AUS vs SA: ‘Some People Felt Like They Were Walking On Eggshells’: Pat Cummins

The Australian cricket squad has provided further insight into what transpired that caused Justin Langer to resign as coach, admitting that players were “walking on eggshells” around him.

After players voiced their disapproval of his coaching approach and Langer refused a contract extension with a shorter term, Cricket Australia and Langer amicably decided to split ways in February of last year.

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Given that Australia had just won the T20 World Cup and successfully defended the Ashes against England at home with a commanding 4-0 series victory, it was unexpected.

There Were Plenty Of Guys Who Don’t Speak Up, Who Don’t Talk And Were Afraid Of Justin Langer: Usman Khwaja

Although many people think Justin  Langer’s replacement Andrew McDonald effectively led the team after Langer was instructed to dial back his aggressive coaching approach, both of those victories were achieved when Langer was in control.

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The second season of the documentary series The Test, which debuts on Amazon Prime on Friday, shows the full breadth of Langer’s emotional behaviours.

“There was plenty of guys who don’t speak up, who don’t talk, and were afraid of JL,” Usman Khawaja says in the documentary.

“That’s the truth.”

Justin Langer’s teaching style was characterised by Nathan Lyon as an incredible journey.

“I’ve always said you can never criticise someone who is extremely passionate in what they do, and that’s exactly what JL is,” Lyon said.

“Did I struggle with some of the ups and downs? Yeah. Probably the biggest feedback from myself was just emotional levels (from) JL.”

Warner said: “People express passion in different ways and his was riding every ball.”

Ashton Agar added: “It was sort of at the point where JL realised he had to pull back massively and he did that.”

“Players and staff really crave consistency,” Australian captain Pat Cummins said in The Test.

“Over the last couple of years, there were times when the environment just wasn’t that. Some people felt like they were walking on eggshells. The players wanted to create their own environment and it’s us taking responsibility for the team.”

Although the players claimed Justin Langer did everything requested of him and took a back seat, they were obviously ready for a change.

“JL was given feedback from the senior players in our group around certain things they wanted him to improve on I guess as a coach,” Mitch Marsh said.

“He listened and he did everything that was asked of him as the playing group.”

Khawaja added: “I genuinely believe that JL brought humility back into the Australian cricket team.”

It’s Been A Great Environment For A Long Time Now: Mitchell Starc

Before the documentary’s debut, players who spoke with news.com.au declined to specifically criticise Langer, stating that Andrew McDonald is the better coach right now and complimenting the team’s culture.

The squad praised their motto, “own your space,” which encourages each player to be himself and practise and prepare any way they see fit, even if it means skipping the warm-up.

“I felt like certainly since Andrew McDonald came in it’s been probably a little bit more like that compared to prior,” Marnus Labuschagne told news.com.au.

“It’s been a great environment for a long time now over the last couple of years and I think that’s continued now with Andrew and Pat in charge,” Mitchell Starc said.

“Just the freedom to express yourselves as players and people off the field. It’s shown on the field as a group. To see the smiles on faces and the enjoyment of the group and each other’s success. The performance we’ve put on over a number of series now speaks to that.”

Cummins said: “If you’re in the Australian cricket team, you know your game pretty well. You know what makes yourself tick. You’re not dealing with kids.”

The Test’s first season included a lot of Justin Langer, who was portrayed as a strict manager in the tradition of an English football manager. The players are prominent and central in the second installment, which may be an indication that they are taking “ownership” and “responsibility” for the team. However, he isn’t featured there.

Marnus Labuschagne Compares Justin Langer And Andrew McDonald

The coaching philosophies of Justin Langer and McDonald, according to Labuschagne, are neither “wrong nor correct,” but rather work best for specific teams in particular situations.

“It’s just different,” the Australian No. 3 batter said.

“Two different paths. Two different people going about coaching in a different way. There’s never a wrong or right. I think for this team and right now, Andrew McDonald’s done a great job in creating a comfortable space for everyone to go about their business.

“But this is a much different to the team that first played in 2019. So it’s hard to go, ‘would this approach have worked back then?’ Maybe, maybe not. But right now for this team, the approach we have now is really balancing well.”

Australia wrapped up an unbeaten summer at home, sealing 2-0 series victories over the West Indies and South Africa. The next task is a daunting tour of India next month before an away Ashes series in the UK. Australia hasn’t won a series in India or England in 20 years.

Also Read: AUS vs SA: “There Has To Be A Way To Try And Improve It Somehow”- Pat Cummins On Deciding Close Catches

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