Australian coach Justin Langer isn’t a grumpy man by nature, in fact he’s exactly the opposite.
But last week he really spat the dummy at a media conference over why Glenn Maxwell is being continually denied an eighth Test cap, his first on home soil.
Langer was accused of being party to ignoring Maxwell on the grounds of a personality clash, or for reasons other than cricket.
Langer turned grumpy.
He was paying the penalty of crossing the successful traditional formula of being a selector – and a coach.
While he was copping plenty of stick at the media conference as a selector, it was also damaging his standing as a coach in the eyes of the players.
Through no fault of his own, Langer inherited the dual job from his predecessor Darren Lehmann, who in turn inherited the double from Micky Arthur.
All part of the flawed 2011 Argus Report that stipulated the Test captain, and coach, must be part of a five-man national selection panel.
Michael Clarke as captain eventually decided he couldn’t captain, and select, so quit the latter.
But the coaches have remained to their terminal detriment – Arthur was sacked, Lehmann quit under pressure from Sandpaper-gate.
And the way Langer’s coaching track record is shaping up, he too could face the flick.
Justin Langer (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Since he took over from Lehmann last May, the teams he exclusively coaches have won one Test in seven, one ODI in seven, and five T20Is in 14.
Grand total – seven wins from 28 games.
Today will be the 29th of his watch when Australia take on India at the SCG in the first of three ODIs, and if Maxwell bats seven as reported, Langer can expect to cop a whole lot more criticism as a coach – and he will thoroughly deserve it.
How can the potentially – I repeat potentially – most dangerous batsman in the side be expected to fire when batting with the tail?
And how come Peter Siddle is playing his first ODI in eight years at 34, when the squad’s leading strike bowler Billy Stanlake is in the stand?
Glenn Maxwell. (AAP Image/Mal Fairclough)
Dumb selections.
It’s all part of Australia’s cricketing chaos that starts at the top with a switched-off Cricket Australia, the suspension of Steve Smith, and David Warner, and the coach being a selector.
There’s no telling when Cricket Australia will ever get with it, the Smith-Warner suspensions end on March 29, and if fit enough will hugely lift the on-field performances, but the coach-selector problem lingers on.
Do yourself and cricket a big favour Justin, stand down as a selector, and concentrate on improving your teams that are having trouble beating time, let alone the opposition.
Sure you’ll cop criticism as a coach if your team continues to play pathetic cricket, but you’ll avoid additional criticism for the players you help to pick, or leave out.
One positive step at a time, it’s your move Justin Langer.
MrKistic
Roar Rookie
I think you'll find the discussion on Maxwell is occurring nationwide these days. And, surprisingly, there's an almost overwhelming majority of people saying he should at least be getting a go. Which, coming from Melbourne, is quite surprising.
Gavan Iacono
Roar Rookie
Ian Chappell should be consulted on the issues of coaches selectors csptains in case the obvious isnt actually obvious to those running the game. On Maxwell, he strikes me, and the ball, as one technically and psychologically deficient in test cricket. He is on a mission to address this, admirably. But really, apart from being from Melbourne, is there any other reason the Melbourne media ask such questions?
Matt H
Roar Guru
How do we know that Langer has set the batting order and not Finch?
sheek
Roar Guru
Good day to you David, What a novel idea! Why hasn't anyone thought of this previously? I also note that we've got more qualified coaches & more supporting administrators than ever before, yet we're producing less quality cricketers. Why is this? Could it perhaps be related to your banner headline comment?
leftcurlyrightcurly
Roar Rookie
Do yourself and the public a favour and resign, Langer. I was ok with Langer as a batsman. But im not ok when he opens his mouth. Im not ok with the seemingly nepotistic old private school boys 'shape' he is trying to imprint. Im not ok with #elitehonesty and phrases such as 'the truth is a BEAUTIFUL thing'. As if he is the gatekeeper of decency and which he always upholds (without question- never doubted) like a shining light. Shepherding. Forthcoming. Honest. Elite. The Australian team he has now is a joke. Some new selections are highly dubious. He has a 'pup' of a team. But by the same token im not sure he's a good coach. Let's see what 'crazy eyes' can enlighten us all with during his time.
Jack
Guest
I think the point is. That it's hard too want the ACB would be doing differently if they were actually part of a conspiracy. The Skipper shouldn't be a selector. He and She should Captain the team on the field and oversee practice.The Test Captains have enough to do without worrying about and being held accountable for the randowm number selections policy. On another matter I'd be keen to see how the best Women batters would go against 140k. Perry would be a handy all rounder in English conditions. She has a nice outswinger. 120k is around Steve Waugh's pace.
Paul
Roar Guru
So James Sutherland, who held the reigns from 2001 - 2018, went from presiding over arguably the greatest period in Australian men's cricket to deliberately trying to destroy the game. I assume you're also making the same accusations about Mark Taylor who was a long term Board member? I think your judgment's impaired by looking for conspiracy theory's where there are none. Sure there have also been some very questionable selections but this whole selection conundrum is a carry over from the Peever days where the Board decided and that was it - no explanations given, because we don't need to, because we know what's best. If you include Australia's decline in producing top quality players, along with poor scheduling (again to chase the almighty dollar) and the rise in short form cricket at the expense of ling form and a decline in technique, there's no conspiracy, just a series of events that have happened all at the same time. This happened exactly the same way, only in reverse, through the 20 years starting in about 1992 when we had good selectors making good decisions from a huge talent pool, without any short form distractions and a CA Board willing to compromise on good cricket versus money in the bank. Was that a conspiracy as well; to make us the best side in the world and kill of cricket in other countries because we were so good?
Jero
Roar Rookie
Hear hear, David. Captain, coach and selectors should have full responsibility for their respective roles, for which they have been specifically appointed to perform. But that's where it should end. They should also only deal with the media in respect of their own specific roles, not each other's. Got a selection question, ask a selector. No one would be any less accountable. They can still consult, and cooperate like any good team does. Arguably, it would make everyone even more accountable, and more able to focus on what they're actually best at. Or supposedly best at, at least.
Spanner
Roar Rookie
Plenty of us feel the same boys but what do we do about it ?
Bangers N Mash
Guest
The current bunch of “stooges” involved in all levels , above the players , couldn’t have done a better Hatchet job on Aussie cricket if that’s what they were actually getting paid to do. It makes me sick to see how the game has been systematically dismantled in this country.
Bangers N Mash
Guest
To me , it appears that , what is going on at the moment is a deliberate attempt to white ant the Australian cricket team in all formats. After watching the Aussies for over 40 yrs , I have never felt so disconnected from cricket. From the massively excessive bans placed on Smith and Warner , to the inexplicable selections , along with the dismantling of The Shield competition, it all stinks if external interference. Call it a conspiracy theory, but in mine and it would appear , plenty of others opinions, the
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Maxwell at 7 , they’re determined not to let him shine and embarrass them. JLs interview was a joke
Paul
Roar Guru
I totally agree David. The selectors need to be completely independent from the team, but must be able to seek advice from the coach & captain prior to selections being made. The reverse also needs to occur. Once a team is chosen, it is up to the captain to decide where guys will bat in the order, not selectors or coaches. ODI batting demands captains be fluid in where players will bat, but in your example, Maxwell should bat no lower than 5.