We Are Here To Win Not To Hit Bouncers To Helmets - Justin Langer

The Ashes has turned its heat mode following Lords’ Test. The bouncer by Jofra Archer to Steve Smith took the game completely to a new level such that the game of cricket is being looked to tackle the bouncers of the opposition team. However, Justin Langer doesn’t want his team to follow that, as he believes winning is important than hitting the helmets of the opposite batsmen.

Smith, who has been Australia’s best batsman in the Ashes 2019 series so far, was forced to retire 80* after he was struck by Archer’s short ball on Day 4 in the second Test at Lord’s. Later, his replacement Marnus Labuschagne was welcomed to the crease with a bouncer as well. However, Justin Langer doesn’t want to use it.

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Australia coach Justin Langer has refused to be drawn into an emotional battle after Steve Smith, who suffered a sickening blow to the head by a Jofra Archer bouncer, was ruled out for the third Test at Headingley that begins on August 22. Meanwhile, the reports suggest that the bowlers are hitting the short length more often than not in the net session.

We know our plans – Justin Langer

However, Justin Langer, on Tuesday, made it clear that his players are focussed only on winning the next Test match and retain the Ashes rather than concentrating on rattling England batsmen with bouncers just like the home team bowlers did in the second match at Lord’s last week.

“We know what our plans are to beat England. What we’re not going to do is get caught up in an emotional battle of who’s going to bowl the quickest bouncers. We’re here to win the Test match, not to see how many helmets we can hit.”

An #Ashes bouncer battle? Justin Langer says no pic.twitter.com/gv1955Vm8M

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 21, 2019

“I’m sure the bouncer will still be part of every bowler’s armoury. If it helps us get batsmen out then we’ll use it; otherwise, we’ll keep sticking to the plan.”

Losing Smith for the next match will be a massive blow for Australia who relied on him to do the bulk of the scoring in the last two Tests. Smith has scored 142, 144 and 92 in his three innings in the Ashes series so far. Mostly, it would be Marnus Labuschagne, who would replace him unless any injuries.

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