Justin Langer says he has shown he is ready to delegate more often after being “humbled” by public questions over his future as Australia’s coach.
Langer’s Twenty20 World Cup campaign got off on the right foot against South Africa on Saturday night, pulling the right rein in going with seven specialist batsmen and three quicks.
It is the first series in a big summer for Australia, that also includes a home Ashes before Langer comes off contract next year.
Langer’s future had become a point of contention following last summer’s home Test series loss to India and T20 series defeats with an understrength side in West Indies and Bangladesh.
Player unease became apparent, prompting high-powered meetings between the coach and senior members of the team.
Langer insists those conversations were “the best” he’d had in 10 years of coaching, while Test captain Tim Paine emerged declaring a united show of support.
Langer for his part has made more of a point to share the load, handing more responsibilities to his captains and even skipping a training session last week as he worked on team strategy at the team hotel.
“I don’t think it’s difficult to delegate. It’s just that my personality is I want to be involved with everything,” Langer said.
“And that’s part of the job.
“It’s been liberating to have great people around. I’ve always had it. But we’ve got great leaders and I’ve got amazing support staff.
“So it was nice to have an afternoon off from training because usually I’ve rolled my sleeves up, getting in amongst it.
“It was nice to be back here, preparing for South Africa, and doing all the analysis and everything. And it was good, it’s working out well.”
Langer said he had only embraced the meetings with players and the need to adapt entering his fourth year as coach.
He also spoke with several coaches across a number of sports over their philosophies, including Trent Robinson in the NRL and Adam Simpson, and Alastair Clarkson in the AFL.
But he admitted the public questions over his position was different.
“It was a humbling period, probably since January, if I’m completely honest,” he said.
“But that’s OK. I’ve got a very curious mind and I’ve had to adapt a lot.
“My philosophy throughout my whole life has been about honest conversations and honesty.
“And because of that I’ve got incredible mentors in my life.
“The public commentary was the most humbling thing. The conversations behind closed doors, that wasn’t confronting.
“I really welcomed that, and hopefully it will help me become a better coach and continue to become a better person.”
Clear as mud
Guest
You did it again
Marty
Roar Rookie
Geez, for someone who’s happy to use some pretty choice language when describing Langer you’re pretty quick to take offence when someone uses a word you don’t like. Anyway, I think we are going around in circles here. Enjoy your evening.
Clear as mud
Guest
Cope! Far out. Do you read what you write. First he stole my wife and now I am mentally or emotionally deficient. The players want him to stop. If you want to read or know the inner workings of this faux philosopher, go buy him a coffee. Cultural change. Pffft. Win the test matches that matter. Get out of the way of players. Stop being a selector. Stop backing in our stop gap skipper. Make some players improve. And stop talking about yourself.
Marty
Roar Rookie
The point is that some people are able to cope with answers that go beyond tired old cliches and are actually interested in what a guy brought in to promote cultural change thinks about leadership etc. I’m curious as to what you find so upsetting about that? After all you can always stop reading/watching/listening when he starts talking about that stuff.
Clear as mud
Guest
of course. what's your point? if he answers some questions well, he's allowed to be a pork chop some other time? my criticism is of these comments. in this story. in this interview. after the recent LinkedIn self-promote, he just needs to shut the fish up and coach. the players esp Maxwell seemed pretty happy around him the other night. so just stick to what you are doing.
Marty
Roar Rookie
You mean like this? https://www.watoday.com.au/sport/cricket/langer-expects-runs-to-be-at-a-premium-in-t20-world-cup-20211024-p592pv.html
Clear as mud
Guest
I don’t have a missus. But thanks for the stereotype. Mmmm… what about “the players are in the middle of a big tournament, it’s all about them, we’ve spent a lot of time talking about this stuff, now people can judge me and some of them by results. Thanks, next question “ This guy never misses a chance to waffle on with his rubbish and his instant karma. Which is a shame, I praised both his demeanour and his actual coaching after Saturday.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Justin Langer has been infected by that hostage locked up too long with the kidnapper thing - what is it? The Helsinki Syndrome, as in Die Hard. :stoked: These Kardashian Cricketpersons have got his thinking so muddled that he will likely end up wandering about a shopping centre near you, mumbling and shrieking unintelligibly as he pushes the shopping trolley aimlessly about, the one with a wonky wheel, full of empty cardboard boxes. The kiddies set out to amuse themselves in between first class international flights to Perth and upturned nose exposés in the No Idea about their exceptional beachfronts and their exceptional selves. I think they fooled him with all that sincere "my brother" talk they favour in Logan and Mulgoa, talked him into getting a tattoo and he has become as inane as them. They are facile, dim, monumentally self absorbed - why would he listen to them? Why would he risk his hitherto undisturbed reputation by associating with the donkeys? He has surrendered to the most feeble gang in town - hard men who bravely "sledge" the opposition with "you are a pooey, pooey, bum, bum" and robust threats to break their fingernails! Justin Langer failed to observe the mantra of the great coaches - Bob Simpson, Warren Ryan, Jack Gibson, Wayne Bennett, Craig Bellamy: "There is one boss here - me. Do what you are told or leave, there are plenty of others ready to take your place." Australian cricket is shot, it started 10 years ago n Sydney - the national organisation, juniors, co-captain leadership groups, healing crystals 'n all. Now, in just two years, it has destroyed one of its fine opening batsmen. Langer has no future at all in the game, just like his successor and the one after that.
Marty
Roar Rookie
All he’s doing is addressing issues that have been raised in the media. No doubt if he doesn’t then the headlines will scream ‘Langer refuses to answer questions about player discontent!’ I think it’s pretty clear from your comments on Langer that the only obsessed person here is you. What happened, did he try and crack into you missus back on the day or something? Get a grip.
Paul
Roar Guru
I can think of a dozen things I'd want to talking with Langer about, if I had access to him for an interview; The next captain has to head the list, successor for Davy if he doesn't find form, opening batting options, ie Harris v Puckovski, what's in the pipeline for the Asian tours, etc, but instead they dredge up this stuff. I'm glad Langer did what he did and gave meaningful answers, but there's more happening in cricket than this which is old news. Even his views on James Pattinson's retirement would have been a better story.
Paul
Roar Guru
I think you're being harsh. This entire article is about Langer and what's been going on with the conversations that have taken place in recent times. Why wouldn't he then be expected to talk about himself? He also can't control what they want to ask about, or what they want to publish. He didn't approach the journos to talk about this topic, they came to him and he answered them - honestly.
Clear as mud
Guest
And… so… with some good selection… and calm demeanour in a close game..: we’re back to it’s all about Justin. Look at me. Look how hard I am trying. Look how good I am going to be. Nobody is as honest as me. And those conversations, just awesome, best in 10 years. Seriously. Is this guy that self obsessed. Or just as brainless as he seems. Skipped a training session but found time to exude this vomit. The public commentary was the most humbling. So I have decided to generate a lot more. Now. First the Mitch Marsh redemption narrative and now this. Didn’t anyone see Pakistan cruise by India as if they were stuck in the mud. Shut up and coach.