Former Test captain Michael Clarke has urged Pat Cummins to tell the truth – even if it’s ugly – about the demise of Justin Langer as national coach.
Langer resigned last week after being offered a mere six-month contract extension despite leading Australia to the T20 World Cup title and a 4-0 Ashes romp.
Past players, including Mark Waugh, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, and Matthew Hayden, have lambasted Cricket Australia for its handling of the situation.
The silence from the current batch of senior Australian cricket stars has been deafening, which has further inflamed the situation.
Former Test star Mitchell Johnson savaged Cummins last week, saying his former teammate had failed in his first big test as captain.
Clarke says Cummins is in a “lose-lose” situation, but the star paceman has a responsibility to be truthful about exactly what went down.
Michael Clarke of Australia celebrates his triple century during day three of the Second Test Match between Australia and India at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
“The Australian public aren’t stupid and this is my point with Pat Cummins,” Clarke told the Big Sports Breakfast.
“Patty needs to come out and make his opinion very clear.
“I saw Mitchell Johnson’s comments, he smoked him. I think a lot of people are thinking what Mitch is thinking.
“My question is how much involvement did Pat have? Did he want this change and, (if so), why? Bring on accountability.
“When you lose, that’s on you as captain. If this is what Patty wants, respect to him but he’s going to have to take the hits as well.”
Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley launched a passionate defence of Cummins in the wake of Johnson’s comments.
But Clarke said if CA didn’t come clean about their reasons for not wanting Langer to stay on long term, they would risk repeating the same mistakes from the aftermath of the sandpaper scandal in South Africa.
“We kept so much information away from the public, it’s never going to die,” Clarke said.
“There’s still questions. This will be the same if it’s not handled the right way.
“At the moment there is so much unknown, so many Chinese whispers, people hiding behind a journalist or a manager, it doesn’t work like that with cricket in this country.
“That’s fine if senior players want JL gone. Say it and be honest. It’s fine if support staff wanted JL gone.
“Stand there and tell us the reasons.”
Australian Cricketers’ Association chief executive Todd Greenberg insists it wasn’t player power that got rid of Langer.
“We’re not at the decision making table when they make these decisions, and nor should we be,” Greenberg told SEN.
“They (the players) certainly have a strong voice, and I think that’s healthy.
“But you can’t over reach on that voice, because ultimately there’s a range of other considerations on contracts and other issues for appointments like this.”
Greenberg hopes the former players who have been critical about the way CA treated Langer will be consulted during the process to find a new head coach.
He said Cummins should also play a role.
“He should have a strong view. He’s the Australian captain,” Greenberg said.
“Whether or not he makes the actual decision – I think that’s a long bow to stretch.
“He’ll have a view, he should have a view, and I think Cricket Australia will welcome those views.”
Marty
Roar Rookie
I agree but the reality is if they’d stuck to training and playing they wouldn’t be involved in this drama. They chose to involve themselves in managerial decisions. You can’t have it both ways, involve yourself and then turn around and say ‘nothing to do with us we’re just here to play cricket’.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
The only thing the players owe the public is to train hard and play cricket to the best of their ability. That’s what fans pay for, not all this contrived drama.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
Yeah, Warnie hated coaches until he started making money as a coach
AV
Roar Rookie
I can see no valid reason why the Captain can’t explain the grounds for his and his players testimony to the Board’s representative Yup - agreed. But stop there - at the Board's representative. That rep is their employer. We do not need players then providing the detail beyond that. It is unprofessional. And it feeds the crap we now have in front of us. Personally - I logged on to the Roar to read up on what conditions our squad can expect in Pakistan. Not this BS. Cheers
Clear as mud
Guest
he's a media friendly tertiary educated smart schoolboy and now thrilling captain and one of the best quicks we have ever had. that's why he speaks the way he does. not because it's orchestrated, as the old man of the sea suggsted. because he understands process, and business. anyone who reduces him to a "backstabber" based on this issue is just looking for drama. i will back Cummins over any of them, or you, especially in the long run.
Clear as mud
Guest
yes. part of every single feud and faction in his time, but now seeks to speak as if there is some united "former players" grouping. sat back and let junior staff convince a coach to stand down players for not doing homework, some of whom were not in his little club. i don't remember him walking when Arthur was pumped for Boof. don't remember that at all. stuff him. irrelevant. obviously he has forgiven "Haydos" for trying to stop him becoming captain. just go play golf, old boys, a happy and united team will be playing cricket this week, and we're off to Pakistan. woohooo!
Marty
Roar Rookie
Where do you think all the money comes from to finance the enviable lifestyles they lead? I agree that there’s no point Cummins adding fuel to the fire but the idea that the players owe the public nothing is silly, unless of course the players would prefer to have to get a regular job like the rest of us.
Marty
Roar Rookie
‘Do as I say, not as I did’.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
Patty, tell ‘em nothing, take ‘em nowhere. Contrary to popular opinion, the players owe nobody nothin.
Nat
Roar Guru
The last decent statement Clarke made about the game was his retirement announcement. Even prior to that, I would argue he was the Captain who initiated the 'ugly Australians' attitude. What purpose does this "come clean" serve to Pat, Langer and Australian Cricket? It would only feed the media and bring down everything else.
Jack
Guest
Context is everything. Anderson had a lot to say to a new test player at short leg. (Forgotten who it was). The skipper stepped in and pointed out to the batsman that with MJ about to bowl he should focus on that. It was MJ who was the intimidator. Clarke did his job.
No9
Roar Rookie
I agree with Clarke. I can see no valid reason why the Captain can't explain the grounds for his and his players testimony to the Board's reresentative . After all , Hockley admitted they consulted the players , or some senior players . Even better if , the senior players who were , if reports are to be believed . hostile to Langer , now came out also . It's certainly in the public domain . In my view it's a test of moral and ethical courage for them . My advice to them : screw your courage to the sticking point .Tell the public what you said and why .
Kevo
Roar Rookie
Clarke is such a pretty boy brown nose who runs with the hairs and hunts with the hounds. Cummins owes the public nothing, it's not his decision, it's the ACB's decision. Cummins is not public relations manager for all and sundry. He's played it with a straight bat and let others go through to the keeper which is what you want the captain to do. To expect him to come out swinging or charging down the wicket when not necessary is gross immaturity. His primary function is leading his team which so far he has done very well. Dealing with the media also comes with the territory and he handles that well too. Not up to him to tell anyone what goes on behind closed doors. Mitchell and Clarke need to grow the f up. The only smokin they're doing sounds like it's coming from the whacky weed.
U
Roar Rookie
Or how he was so bad that Hussey just retired out of nowhere
U
Roar Rookie
Do these former players really think we forget what they got up to in their day? Really?
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Bizarre. Like it would be really good for Langer and the team if they all came out and gave the absolute truth. Pat could say something like: “Smithy thought he was too moody; Davey reckoned he was too much of a micromanager; Usman loves him as a bloke but thinks it time for someone more relaxed; Lyono thinks he’s a bit of a psycho; Marnus says he blows up way too often and doesn’t respect my sandwich fetish; I was sitting on the fence and while I said publicly he’d been doing a fantastic job, I was fibbing a bit and I really only meant that it’d been good recently that he’d taken a back seat and maybe he should take a seat further back and leave by the back of the bus.”
Gee
Roar Rookie
I think the honeymoon period is over for young Patty. Less than a month ago he was seen as the savior of Australian cricket, now he is seen as a bit of a back stabber. And after they do stuff all on the upcoming tours he will be viewed as a rubbish on field captain as well.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Yes indeed. We will just have to wait for his autobiography.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Totally agree with all that. It's bizarre.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Fancy putting your fiance ahead of all else ...