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There is something special going on at the WACA in Perth.
Western Australian cricket is being revolutionised.
And it took Justin Langer’s discipline and dedication to cricket in this state, and the ability of him and his senior players and officials to find the talent to become a force in Australian cricket.
Forgotten is the fact that Western Australia had to come back to the WACA to complete a game which should have finished yesterday.
They beat Tasmania outright by two wickets after scoring just 97 in their first innings and with key players Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh all not playing.
They did get Mitch Marsh back but this game was a testament to a total squad effort.
In and of itself it might seem inconsequential to the laymen in other states of Australia, but the development of cricket in WA has been stunted at Sheffield Shield level for some time.
It took someone with Langer’s ability to step up and lay the foundations of building a squad of young men who can succeed.
It surprises me that Dennis Lillee, Adam Gilchrist and Mike Hussey’s names aren’t mentioned more in despatches these days, because WA cricket will fly again now that they, as well as Wayne Clarke and Justin, are back helping out.
Langer has been through the nuances of modern day cricket, as much as Hussey.
He has been exposed to people such as John Buchanan, Mike Young, Tim Neilsen, Mickey Arthur, Rod Marsh and Dennis, and a host of luminaries who think deeply about the game.
Talent is everywhere in WA.
It took Langer to go out and cherry pick those kids playing at District, Under 19, state and Australian level and give them time in the middle.
That names like Ashton Agar, Sam Whiteman, Mike Hogan, Ryan Duffield, Joel Paris, Bert Cockley and several others have come to the public’s attention is directly due to Langer.
I would have to say that often the culture within Administration has to learn new tricks too and it seems to me that that is being exemplified by Christine Matthews and her group.
That the programmes in Queensland, Victoria and South Australia are making strides often comes back to the strength of one man, the squad coach.
If he is worldly enough and right thinking about giving kids the opportunity, it is absolutely amazing what can be accomplished.
I have watched Australian cricket for my 62 years, played and coached both cricket and baseball at a good level, and I know a manager of men when I see one.
A manager of men knows how to create excitement, knows when to praise, when to crack the whip, when to give a guy a chance, when to drop or discipline, what to look for in keepers, batsmen, bowlers, fielders, coaches, captains and leaders, how to bring his squad together to realise their roles within the team when they get the opportunity.
He knows because he is a leader himself, no matter what other people may think and above all he is positive and flexible and willing to learn, like his charges.
The Warriors of Western Australia are a unit again. They have one purpose now. Cricket in WA has finally regained the self esteem, pride and leadership it has needed again.
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