Former Australian cricket coach Justin Langer has made explosive comments towards current captain Pat Cummins over his involvement in Langer’s sacking in early 2022.
Langer was controversially sacked by the Cricket Australia board after he had lost support of the playing group. Whilst Langer had made inflammatory comments about the board, this is the first time he has publicly criticised the players for their involvement in his departure.
Langer accused Cummins of being a "coward" and lacked "brutal honesty" when discussing the reported rift between Langer, the players and the board.
Langer further added that "everyone was being nice to my face" but wouldn't tell him the truth about his untenable position.
The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio said that Langer was always going make his side of the story known.
“These are stunning claims for Justin Langer,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“He’s never been backwards in coming forwards.
“This was bound to happen and Justin was always going to speak his mind at some point.
“He’s pointing the finer at Australian captain Pat Cummins and Aaron Finch (for) the whisper campaign to oust Langer as coach.
“Langer is claiming that he never got a straight answer out of both Cummins and Finch when pressed about (the whisper campaign).
“Langer now calls them ‘cowards’ and that the players were never honest when they gave feedback about his coaching style.”
Prior to his dismissal, Langer was approached by the board and a few players about his aggressive coaching style. Subsequently, the 52-year-old took a back seat for the successful T20 World Cup and Ashes campaigns yet was still let go.
Riccio said he is fascinated to see how Cummins responds given that the Australian captain has been forced to deal with his own controversies.
“It’s becoming an increasing number of issues for Cummins,” Riccio added.
“He protested against one of the major sponsors of Cricket Australia only last month and this is going to be the next issue Pat Cummins is going to have to face.
“They are pretty explosive claims.
“How he responds and reacts to this situation and what impacts it has over the summer (remains to be seen).”
Australia will begin the test match summer on November 30 against the West Indies in Perth.