Justin Langer has been handed his first coaching job since his controversial split with Australia, as the former opener takes the reins of IPL outfit, the Lucknow Super Giants.
Langer was unveiled as the Super Giants new coach on Friday night, with the 52-year-old to take over from Andy Flower next season.
There, he will likely be reunited with Marcus Stoinis as one of the Super Girants marquee stars, with fellow Australian allrounder Daniel Sams also on their roster last season.
After resigning as Australia’s coach last year when he was only offered a six-month extension, Langer was considered a potential option to take over as England mentor.
England, though, have since found success with New Zealander Brendon McCullum.
This now marks Langer’s first top job in a professional set up since then, with the role to allow him to continue in TV commentary during the home summer.
“Lucknow Super Giants are on the journey of building a great story in the IPL,” Langer said.
“We all have a role to play in that journey and I am excited to be a part of the team moving forward.”
Lucknow have finished third in both of their first two seasons of the IPL.
Langer has previously led Perth Scorchers to three BBL titles, and presided over Australia’s drought-breaking T20 World Cup success in 2021 in one of his last tournaments as coach.
Jess Jonassen insists Australia are not panicking ahead of the last two games of the Ashes, despite staring down the barrel of their worst losing run in close to 10 years.
Australia will enter Sunday’s second ODI against England off the back of three straight defeats, suddenly leaving them in danger of relinquishing their grip on the Ashes.
With the multi-format series locked at 6-6, a win in either of the last two games will ensure Australia retain the Ashes.
Victory in both matches would also ensure a series win.
But all momentum is now with England, after the hosts won the last two T20s in London and the opening ODI in Bristol on Wednesday.
The defeats marked Australia’s first three-match losing streak since way back in 2017, while the team have not dropped four in a row since August 2013.
But despite that, Jonassen is adamant the team is not stressing.
“There is no cause for panic,” said the spinner.
“This side has won a lot of games of cricket over a number of years.
“There is a lot of fight in our group as well. We hold a lot of pride in our record as a team.
“It’s just more a bit of frustration internally and individually as well. The little things we want to tidy up as a group.”
Rain could also play a part in the series, with downfalls in Southampton on Friday and more forecast for the weekend.
If the match was to be impacted, it would potentially make for a winner-takes-all scenario in the final ODI at Taunton on Tuesday.
If Australia are to lose the Ashes, it would make for the first trophy they have missed since the 2017 ODI World Cup.
But Jonassen said the fact Australia knew they had been well off their best in the losses meant players were confident they could topple England.
“We haven’t played our best cricket which is the thing we are focusing on the most,” she said.
“There are two high-quality sides, and if you are not on your day, the opposition will take it away from you. We think it has been our own undoing.
“We have been sloppy in certain areas and lacked discipline at times in terms of extras, misfields and what have you.”
© AAP
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