Former Australian captain Ian Chappell has delivered a brutal swipe at former coach Justin Langer, claiming the gritty opening batter isn’t a legend of the game.
Chappell has taken umbrage to former players deeming Langer a ‘legend’ following his axing from the top job in February following rumours of player discontent with his coaching methods.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports’ Outside the Rope, Chappell didn’t mince his words.
“Why were they saying Langer was a legend? He wasn’t,” Chappell said.
“Langer was smart enough to retire on the same day that Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne retired – now they were really good cricketers. Justin Langer wasn’t in their category as far as I was concerned.
“Damien Martyn, in my opinion, was twice as good as Justin Langer.”
After coming in and out of the Australian Test team throughout the 1990s, Langer found success as part of a prolific opening partnership with close friend Matthew Hayden.
He’d finish alongside Warne and McGrath as part of Australia’s 5-0 whitewash of England in the 2006-07 Ashes, concluding his 105-Test career with 7696 runs at 45.27.
Chappell, for the record, amassed 5345 runs at 42.42 across 75 Tests.
Langer wasn’t the only Australian opener to feel Chappell’s wrath in a strong tirade. The 78-year old also urged selectors to reconsider Usman Khawaja as a long-term opening partner to David Warner, feeling the Queensland captain isn’t up to dealing with spin-friendly conditions like those usually seen on the subcontinent.
But he isn’t any more impressed with Victorian opener Marcus Harris, taken on the tour as batting back-up.
Usman Khawaja. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
“I’m not convinced,” Chappell said of instilling Khawaja at the top of the order.
“I don’t think they should be opening with Khawaja, I think that’s a mistake.
“In Pakistan it will probably be fine. And you haven’t got that many options, because I don’t think [Marcus] Harris is really that good.
“Khawaja, I think if he gets on something that really spins you will see those weaknesses appear again. But I’m not sure you’ll see that in Pakistan.”
“Sri Lanka and India will be a totally different kettle of fish. Khawaja is probably the right bloke to open in Pakistan, but they might have some problems in Sri Lanka and India.”
Instead, Chappell believes forgotten former opener Matt Renshaw might be the man for the job, despite having moved away from the spot in first-class cricket to play in the middle order for Queensland.
Renshaw played the last of his 11 Tests for Australia in late 2017, before being discarded for that summer’s Ashes in favour of Cameron Bancroft.
According to Chappell, Renshaw was handed the rough end of the stick to begin with.
“The bloke I think who got unfairly dealt with was the left-hander from Queensland, Matthew Renshaw,” he said.
“They dropped him on poor first-class form, not poor Test cricket form, and I think if you are going to be dropped from Test cricket it should be because you’re showing poor Test form.”
jose
Guest
If at first you try more than that
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Both Waughs in fact.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Totally agree Once. This was something I was considering as well, though can't be bothered to check the stats. I have no doubt that Langer has played some great innings, the one with Gilly comes to mind. But Martyn played out of his skin in entire series. Even the much maligned 'home town bully' Hayden will always be able to hang his hat on his performances in India. Yet when I rack my brain, I cannot think of a single, important series were Langer was the dominant batsman. For mine, it's these series that make players like Waugh S, Hayden, Martyn, Ponting and Smith the modern greats.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I'd say he played brilliantly on pitches suited to bowling. His homespun style was not graceful but it was extremely effective. -------- His approach to captaincy was second to none in innovation and audacity. I have not seen another player utilise the office of captaincy like him. It's like having at least another player, or two, in the team. That with the camaderie of his teams does actually make him overarch the game. He is the Godfather.
Kevo
Roar Rookie
True. But why not skull?
Kevo
Roar Rookie
Excellent summary. Both Langer and Hayden we're great contributors and servants of Australian cricket but no where in the realms of those greats you mentioned or many others. Taylor and Boon did face better attacks and I'd have those 2 before the former. Greenidge and Haynes were well ahead of Hayden and Langer as quality openers too. Unfortunately we have a generation obsessed with stats and not facts. And also with a need for hero worshipping in the age of Marvel comical crup. Chappelli is on the money.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I regard captaincy as the most important aspect of a test team. As if no-one knew :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Kevo
Roar Rookie
Chappelli telling plain home truths again, love it. Some times he bangs on a bit but he was a great captain, more than a solid performer in the toughest drop against quality bowling, and always a very astute observer of the game.
John66
Roar Rookie
Agreed. Hence the astute captain comment.
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
What are you on about Sheek? Ian Chappell has continued to think from the perspective of Australian cricket captain since his playing days. He's always thinking how to win the game and how to approach the team. Is that a controversial opinion?
sheek
Roar Guru
Oncer, Chappelli has prejudices, indeed. Almost like every other bloody single person on the planet. At least he doesn't pretend to pretend, like most of the planet.
sheek
Roar Guru
Rellum, Look up Chappell's stats at #3. Don't worry, I'll do it for you. IM Chappell: 136 test innings, average 42.42. Number 3 batting position: 91 innings, average 50.94. As 'Oncer' continually tells us, there's more than one way to skin a cat, so to speak.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Chappelli’s far from perfect but I like him. And the rent a quotes are diabolically twisted around and they always look far worse in print than they actually sound coming out of his mouth at the time. Like Warne, some things he says about certain players carry certain unhealthy prejudices, but also like Warne, he has an outstanding cricket brain. Unlike Warne, Chappelli has rarely, if ever, been a goose away from cricket.
sheek
Roar Guru
Just Nuisance, Okay, you're forgiven. I wear my cantankerous, curmudgeon old fella tag with pride.
sheek
Roar Guru
John66, Actually, GSC was outstanding in his early stewardship of Queensland, 1973-76. He got a somewhat ordinary team to play above themselves. Qld were runners-up 4 times in 5 seasons (thrice under Greg): 73/74, 74/75, 75/76 & 77/78.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Hi Sheek , thought that’s what I did . It’s a highly subjective opinion expressed at a time when an awful lot of opinions were being expressed about Langer though and that opens you up to criticism. Chappell knows that . I have immense respect for him and his achievements and am probably one of the small percentage left here that has actually seen him playing live on the park a few times actually. 1st Limited overs match I attended mid 1970s was a double wicket comp at the Wanderers , Ian and Greg represented Australia ( not officially of course ) winning the final against none other than the SA pair of Barry Richards and Graeme Pollock . If my post came across as a bit spiteful and personal and rereading it it probably does that doesn’t reflect my real opinion of Chappelli at all . Just setting the record straight .
sheek
Roar Guru
OUATOTR - I'm feeling benevolent today. Except when folk ignorantly attack my hero Chappelli.
Jordan
Guest
Not well said by Chapelli but I rate Martyn as one of our best bats during that golden era. The push to square along with his shot between point and 3rd man were pure silk and timing, lofted drives also were shots to behold. He was criminally underrated and incredible on the subcontinent.
John66
Roar Rookie
Has anyone checked on Glenn McGrath? I mean Warnie was fine before Chappelli dragged his name into his Langer-Legend or less discussion. I am concerned for Ooh Aah now.
John66
Roar Rookie
Greg was a very astute captain but I doubt the majority of the team would have followed him into hell. I get the feeling if Ian asked them to, they would have. I also imagine the devil's reaction upon seeing them arrive. Oh f..k, not you lot. Nothing to see here. On your way. Or am I thing of Bradman reacting that way...