Justin Langer’s approach to the Australian coaching role since May has been met in some quarters with a strong dose of scepticism.
Rhetoric-heavy, the former opener has prescribed ‘elite mateship’, ‘character over cover drives’ and ‘banter’ (rather than sledging) for his new side. It didn’t wash with those too angry, hurt and frustrated from events earlier this year. The public was done with spin, and the cynicism radar was touchier than ever.
Langer had to put some flesh on the bones, a performance to support the statements. And after a slow start, he did exactly that by orchestrating a famous draw in the first test against Pakistan in Dubai.
A coach’s true influence in modern cricket is debated, but Langer’s fingerprints were all over Australia’s gutsy draw. And what is wholly apparent is that Australia’s 140-over batting performance with a skeleton side would not have happened under Darren Lehmann.
First, Langer’s influence on the heroic Usman Khawaja in the lead-up to the series was considerable. Prompting the Queenslander to adopt a stringent fitness regime, the results were immediate – a frame seven kilos lighter and a mentality to persist when things got hard.
“I know the expectations, and I know where I stand,” Khawaja had said. It was also reported that Langer was shocked at the fitness levels of players after Lehmann departed.
Khawaja’s incredible 302-ball knock of 141 in the oppressive Dubai heat would not have been possible without his drastically improved conditioning, which enabled him to bat through periods where his whites were, as he claims, soaking wet.
The conditioning itself would not have happened without Langer.
(AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
Similarly, Aaron Finch has professed to be in the best shape he’s ever been in. The pair’s opening stands of 142 and 87 are in part attributed to a new level of fitness.
For all the (justified) talk of conditioning, the skill level to bat 140 overs on a wearing pitch, ball spinning and spitting at batsmen surrounded by baying fieldsmen has perhaps been under-referenced.
Khawaja, Tim Paine and Travis Head’s navigation of Yasir Shah and Bilal Asif, as well as the wily reverse-swing of Mohammad Abbas, took tremendous skill. From the outside looking in, Langer’s influence appears substantial.
His on-field coaching session following stumps on Day 3 – derided by Ian Chappell as something you do ‘before the game’ – was in fact praised by the batsmen as beneficial. Langer’s tutorial addressed the way the team’s left-handers played the dangerous Bilal Asif, who picked up six first-innings wickets on debut. It worked – Bilal went wicketless from 37 second-innings overs.
This contrasts greatly with the lack of skills Lehmann reportedly possessed as a coach. Gideon Haigh’s recently released book Crossing the Line includes interviews with 50-plus players, coaches and officials as part of a ‘shoestring’ cultural review of Australian cricket. In it, one player was particularly critical:
“I love Boof. He’s got a great heart and he loves the players. But, really, he hardly coached technique at all. ‘You’re struggling? Just whack it.’ ‘You’re going for runs? Just bowl yorkers.’ ‘We’ll smash them.’ He really just had no answers but to try and built up this arrogance.”
Australia’s shelving of the ‘play your natural game’ mantra is exactly what enabled it to draw the test in Dubai. Were Langer to have told Travis Head to play naturally, the 24-year-old would have faced far fewer balls than the 197 he expertly absorbed.
(AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
Perhaps most pleasing is that Australia has had far better XIs which have failed to bat out the final day of a Test match. Where victory became improbable or impossible, stronger teams of the past have succumbed when the going became tough. The fact that this ragtag side, missing four players who would have otherwise been selected, stood up is all the more impressive.
While Langer and the selectors erred in failing to pick Glenn Maxwell, the coach at least deserves credit for the success story that was Travis Head in Dubai.
On a final note, while it is far too early to adjudge any sort of improvement in on-field demeanour in the Australian side, certain behaviours moved in the right direction. Mitchell Starc, naturally fiery but an ugly extension of himself in the final months under Lehmann, was decidedly calmer. The stare-filled abuse that would usually follow a play-and-miss was not apparent. Marnus Labuschagne brought enthusiasm and smiles in his debut, not artificial intimidation.
Again, one Test match doesn’t heal the considerable wounds of the past, but the demeanour displayed is a step in the right direction. The obvious respect shown by Paine and the ever-classy Sarfraz Ahmed in post-match interviews was warming to Australian fans more accustomed to superficial appreciation in recent times.
The Dubai draw is not, on the surface, an earth-shattering result. But the belief it will garner is far from insignificant. The skills and temperament displayed by the Australians typify the strength of Langer as a coach and underlines the progress Australia can now make with a new man in charge.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Your piece reminds me of a Darwin Beer Can Regatta vessel. Ugly of construction, created by beer and ultimately, it sinks. The only thing missing is the fun. For one thing, Langer isn't solely responsible for selections. And where do these "eight contributors" come from? Hint. If you want to define "contributors" statistically then Marnus was worth more than Starc. Speaking of M Starc... Amongst all the public venom and denigration of the Marshes and talk of Starc being 'rested', I haven't seen a single mention of Starc's recent, incredibly bad returns. Here's his bowling stats from his last *six* Test innings. 123/25/412/4/ rpo=3.35 / ave= 103.0 I wonder why this hasn't got a mention anywhere?
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
"Finch has it and uses it regularly, Maxwell has it, but only uses it when he’s on the chopping block".... Well that explains why Maxwell has a first class average over 41 and Finch's is under 37. Clearly, you haven't watched Maxwell bat in the past 12 months or in the Indian test series. Both of these players have taken significant steps to improve their 4 day game. 18 months ago, Finch wasn't making his shield team so he dropped down to the middle order. For Maxwell, it was standing up as an experienced player and moving up the order. Both have had some success since taking those actions, although somehow Finch's limited over runs count for him but Maxwell's hinder his chances. Can you please explain why Finch, with his amazing ability to swing his bat down the line, edges the ball regularly and gets caught frequent;y at mid off and cover? I think its fantastic that successful short format players place such an emphasis on the longer format and wish both these players every success with their test aspirations. I do have concerns over Finch if there is some sideways movement in the pitch. He has proven to be an unsuccessful opening option on Australian pitches. Maxwell needs the chance to prove what he can do in a home test series. His Indian test hundred should have earned him that opportunity last summer. If both these players could make their mark on the test arena, it would be interesting viewing.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Good point Rellum. For Taylor in particular, big scores were due to shot selection more than being in peak physical condition. Graeme Pollock scored plenty of runs without ever being noted for his aerobic fitness.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
I was wondering if someone was going to bring some facts instead of purely emotive nonsense.
Samuel Ord
Roar Guru
You're right that Steve Smith never would have captained this side to a draw. He would've captained them to a win because he has more to offer with the bat than Shaun Marsh, Mitch Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne combined.
Samuel Ord
Roar Guru
'Langer’s fingerprints were all over Australia’s gutsy draw.' This is true but not in the way that you describe. Langer is responsible for the draw for sure - but only to the extent that he stopped Australia from recording a win at all. The selections of Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne were a complete disaster and guaranteed that Australia had to go head to head with Pakistan in Asia with just eight contributors. Mitch Marsh's second chance selection born out of his value with the bat and ball. Now he's a 'number four' who can't bowl (or make runs). Shaun Marsh - no scores above 50 since the Ashes. 35 years old and averaging less than 38 - why bother? No point getting stuck into Marnus - he shouldn't be out there in the first place with his career numbers. An Australian side with three more functioning batsmen wins that encounter easily. Hopefully this isn't a sign of things to come for Australia under Langer.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
You obviously missed Maxwell’s India innings’.
William Tacey
Roar Rookie
To all the critiques who say that a coach of our Australian cricketers is a gimmick and giving advice during a match is useless, I say that is bullshit. Ian Chappell, it may have been the responsibility for the Captain of the team to run when you where about, but strange as it may, everything evolves over time, if a coach can give players insight into what the coach may appear to be something simple to try and remedy during the game can only be a positive benefit to the player/s concerned. The days of having too many beers at the bar after or during a game are gone, just as all past players have. Once upon a time coach in other codes who ranted and raved to get the players up and about has nearly been extinguished, it may have worked on a few but I daresay it had the opposite effect on most others, What Langer was doing with the left-hand batsmen was seeing something and showing them some alternatives and that is what coaching is all about. No good waiting until the game is lost as it wont have the same effect.
JD St George
Roar Pro
When you say all internationals then you're including T20's and ODI's where Maxwell is coming in to bat in the last 5 overs and has to swing for the good of the team so he might only face 3 balls but if he scores 8 runs then it's a good innings. Weird stat.
Rellum
Roar Guru
The old ball was reversing. The new ball wasn't moving at all. So they kept using the old one.
Mitcher
Guest
Exactly, it’s nice the internet is accepting like that, that people like Jay who actually don’t know even the basics of the game can mouth of with unfounded garbage.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I am pretty sure Boon and Taylor managed 3's and scored big hundreds. Espicially Taylor. Players this era have so far shown in gereral a lack of ability to score big hundreds. If the modern fitter player is better it doesn't show up on the score card. I am not against them being fit obviously but lets not fall into the trap of thinking that is the main reason people score runs.
Rob
Guest
I think the Boon, Greg Richy, Merv Hughes era is a little different. Watson was a big gym type trainer and blokes like say M. Hussey were diet and aerobic type. The fit ones can run back to back 3’s and go again. They are looking for oxygen once they bring up 100.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Where did I say they shouldn't be proud. I said it was one of the great achievements of our cricketing history. Australia isn't Afghanistan, we are not an up and coming team. We are the power house of the game over it's history and we can't just rest on our laurels of one good performance to save a Test. If Langer is indeed improving the team then they need to carry that on in the coming months. Of course we always go into Test's to win but that doesn't mean we have setup ourselves to do that. If we get smashed in the next game then everyone will quickly move on from this game.
MarkD
Guest
But 40 extra overs with it! They waited until after lunch before taking it . I would have thought that once the nightwatchman had gone early the next morning and it was obvious that there wasn't the reverse swing that they expected surely while the quicks were fresh give them a crack with the new ball at the new batsman .
Rellum
Roar Guru
You can believe that and that might be true but guys like Boon and Tubby Taylor show you that batting is all about skill and mental strength, unless you are going to try and tell me those guys were as fit as they could be. Fitness helps but it is not the be and end all like say the AFL.
Rellum
Roar Guru
It was mostly his work with QLD that got him the gig. That QLD side also had some real leaders in Hopes and Hartley. Those two were as hard nose and professional as you get.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Sorry Bush, I thought I had typed Internationals, not tests. He averages around 25 balls faced in all internationals. We can agree to differ on Maxwell & Finch's techniques, but I don't remember ever seeing Finch try and flick a ball from the off side wide line to cow corner without moving his feet after facing only a couple of balls. Actually that was when he was in whites for the Vic's and batting with Finch. I wasn't the only one of the paltry crowd at the G who groaned at that. Finch hits that type of ball over cover for 6 in short form and invariably leaves it in whites. Interesting Maxwell fans always preface their dismay at him being a regular, by admitting they don't think he's a team player. Team sports need team players and team players face 100 balls for ugly runs when the team needs it. It's obvious to observers the players intent, even if they fail, because they are trying to reverse a slide and kill the opposition momentum. The good Maxwell innings are where he hits through the line and he invariably makes a 50+ when he does that, the problem is he thinks that's enough and go back to cross bat swats then and that's when coaches lose patience. Finch knows how and when to leave a ball and regular success comes from a straight bat through the line. That technique is admired - and required - by Langer. Finch has it and uses it regularly, Maxwell has it, but only uses it when he's on the chopping block.
Nudge
Roar Rookie
“Steve Smith would have never captained this team to a draw” Didn’t Australia draw a test in India last year when we were 3 wickets down at stumps day 4 ? Pretty sure Shaun Marsh and Handscomb batted for nearly 2 sessions on the last day
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Not sure there Rellum, I think the place Australia is coming from....No 5-6-7 in the world with a revamped side, we should be proud if they put together another draw on foreign soil and Starc comes out uninjured and 50 Test overs under his belt, the new faces in the top order get another game to feel part of the equation, Paine starts to understand Langer's direction and how that works in his Captaincy and get back to Australia to win against the Indians. Then we'll have more of our first choice bowlers available, which is key to Australian success. A win would be great, but Langer has coached one Test and Paine has captained 2. Australia always goes into Test's to win, but realistically if the opportunity isn't solid, this isn't the time to take a 40/60 chance, we would be wiser to do that on home soil and take the confidence gained out of a tour where most pundits wrote the team off before they left Australia.