Usman Khawaja
Usman Khawaja. Image: Twitter

Former Australian head coach Justin Langer made headlines when he criticized his players for not directly challenging him during his term as coach. The impact of Langer’s resignation from Australia’s coaching ranks threatens to overshadow the start of the Test season.

The players are certain that the matter has not been a distraction ahead of the first Test against the West Indies on Wednesday. Langer has moved to deny any rift between himself and the players, and the subject is sure to be a frequent issue in his commentary this season. Players have backed new coach Andrew McDonald, insisting no pressure should be put on him ahead of his first home test summer following a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign.

Justin Langer
Justin Langer (Image Credit: Twitter)

Justin Langer Was Probably The Perfect Person To Come In – Usman Khawaja

Usman Khawaja believes Australia’s coaches should be granted a limited tenure so that they don’t get tired of cricket’s tough schedule and outside pressure. However, Khawaja feels that any mentor’s tenure on the job should be limited, regardless of the coach.

“I really think JL for the time he came in for the transition and what was happening at the time, he was probably the perfect person to come in. This job is tough and in my personal opinion, Australian coaches shouldn’t have more than a four-to-five year window where they can coach. Because this job will get you down. And things change so quickly in international sport,” Khawaja said.

Usman Khawaja
Usman Khawaja – Photo Credit: (Reuters)

“I had this conversation with Andrew McDonald even before he became the coach. And he actually agreed with me. US Presidency they have two terms of four years. I think there needs to be a similar thing for an Australian coach. Because it’s a very tough gig,” he added.

Read More  Peshawar Zalmi pacer joins MI as Jason Behrendorff gets ruled out of IPL 2024

Usman Khawaja is in tremendous form with the bat in 2022, scoring 888 runs in 7 test matches at 98.67 with four centuries and three half-centuries, and his best score was 160. With Australia set to tour India next year, Khawaja will be one of the team’s most important batters.

Justin Langer succeeded Darren Lehmann as Australia’s head coach after the ball-tampering saga in March 2018. During his tenure, he led the Aussies to their first T20 World Cup 2021 in Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as well as a 4-0 series win in the previous Ashes series at home.

Following the resignation of Justin Langer, assistant coach Andrew MacDonald was promoted to head coach. In February 2022, the former Australian all-rounder led the Men in Yellow to a historic Test series triumph in Pakistan. On the other hand, McDonald is under criticism following their disappointing T20 World Cup campaign on home soil.

Also read: “One Bad Shot Here, And You Get Everyone On Your Back” – Shan Masood Warns England That Their Bazball Approach Will Be Risky In Test Series