Justin Langer favourite to take over from Darren Lehmann as Australia coach

Sport360 staff 19:51 18/04/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Australia will begin their hunt for the successor to Darren Lehmann on Friday with former opening batsman Justin Langer said to be the favourite to take the position.

    A report in The West Australian said Langer was close to being named Australia coach after Lehmann stood down from the post in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa last month. However, Cricket Australia said no decision has been made.

    A Cricket Australia spokesperson said: “The process to be undertaken for the appointment of a new Australian men’s head coach will be discussed and agreed at the CA board meeting this Friday.

    “No appointment has been made, and nor will any candidate be put to the board for ratification on Friday. We expect to have a clearer understanding of the approach and appointment timelines following this meeting.”

    Langer, a former international team-mate of Lehmann, is among the front-runners for the position having enjoyed success with Western Australia and Perth Scorchers during his coaching career. The 47-year old has been successful as coach of WA and Scorchers over the last five seasons.

    In that period, Langer has helped win three Big Bash League titles and two domestic one-day tournaments. Langer has been a part of Australia’s coaching contingent before – during the tour of the West Indies in 2016 and the home series against Sri Lanka thereafter.

    The report in The West Australian said Langer had been “considering the position for several days”. The report further stated that “Langer believes the national coach should oversee all three formats – Test, one-day and Twenty20 – but former team-mates Ricky Ponting or Jason Gillespie are in the frame to take on the limited overs roles if the positions are split.”

    Langer is regarded highly in Australian cricketing circles. It was Langer who urged Australian selectors to include Shaun Marsh in the Ashes side despite not scoring a mountain of runs.

    Marsh’s returns in first-class cricket before his selection for the Ashes was decent at best – 236 runs from six innings at an average of 39.33 for Western Australia. However, WA coach Langer said Marsh was “in the form of his life”.

    Marsh finished with 445 runs from five Tests, including two centuries and as many fifties as the Aussies won the series 4-0. In 2015, former India opener Gautam Gambhir turned to Langer to revive his international career. Gambhir played two more Tests for India after his stint with the Aussie in Perth.

    Recommended