Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist was highly dejected after Justin Langer tendered his resignation as the head coach of the national team. On Saturday, February 5, Langer’s management firm put forth the revelations on their Twitter handle.
If reports are to be believed, Cricket Australia (CA) offered Langer a short-term contract with a chance of defend Australia’s title in the T20 World Cup at home later this year. The 51-year-old discussed the matter at length with the national cricket board, but to no avail.
But Nick Hockley, the CA Chief Executive Officer, said that the board would continue to have talks with the retired Aussie left-hander. Gilchrist, in the meantime, wasn’t happy with the development by any stretch of the imagination and termed the saga “pathetic”.
Gilchrist took to Twitter and wrote, “Still can’t get over what a pathetic day for Australian Cricket yesterday was.
Adam Gilchrist’s tweet
Still can’t get over what a pathetic day for Australian Cricket yesterday was. 😞
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) February 6, 2022
Langer’s manager James Henderson also had words of praise for the former Australia coach. “Today, despite the views of a faceless few, he finishes his time as an Australian cricket coach, winning the T20 World Cup and the Ashes. Lest we forget what JL took over in 2018,” he said.
Langer took charge at the helm after Australian cricket found itself in all sorts of strife following the infamous ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town. Not only was Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft handed bans, but then head coach Darren Lehmann also stepped down.
Thereafter, Langer took charge of the team from May 2018 and helped Australian cricket restore its pride. Recently, the Aussies, under Pat Cummins’ leadership, won the Ashes at home 4-0 after wins in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Hobart.
Australia could have won the Sydney Test as well had they picked up the last English wicket on Day five at the SCG. Back in November, under Langer’s tutelage, Australia also won the T20 World Cup 2021, hosted by Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Aaron Finch and Co. defeated New Zealand, led by Kane Williamson, in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The Aussies are now set for their tour of Pakistan, and assistant coach Andrew McDonald will take charge as the interim coach.
