Reports say Australian players are unhappy with Justin Langer; coach defends himself

Reports say Australian players are unhappy with Justin Langer; coach defends himself

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Justin Langer

After Australia’s shock series loss at home against India, head coach Justin Langer is under huge pressure are reports today from The Sydney Morning Herald stated that the players were unhappy with his management style. The Aussies looked to be sailing smoothly after the first Test where they won by a comfortable margin by bowling out India for a mere 36 runs in the second innings.

However, it all went downhill from there as India notched up two more wins and a draw with a second-string side ravaged by injuries to defy odds and secure one of their greatest series wins. Australia will now play two series simultaneously with the T20I side coached by assistant coach Andrew McDonald heading to New Zealand and the Test side coached by Langer heading to South Africa.

Justin Langer rubbishes report

Justin Langer

The report in Sydney Morning Herald stated the following, “Langer’s management style wore thin with some players, who on top of having to live in a bubble for months on end say they have become drained by his intensity and mood swings. Some senior players are frustrated at the atmosphere in the team being brought down by the coach’s shifting emotions and what they see as too much micro-management. They say that has extended to bowlers being bombarded with statistics and instructions about where to bowl at breaks.”

Very soon Langer refuted the claims and said, “If players just want someone to tickle their stomachs all the time then I’m not doing my job. It’s actually the opposite of what happens. I never talk about statistics to the bowlers, ever. I don’t go to any of the bowlers’ meetings. That’s what the bowlers’ coach is meant to be doing.”

“I don’t do any of that. I never, ever, ever speak to any of the bowlers about any of that sort of stuff. And the learnings of the last few months are I should start looking at that more,” he added making it clear that there was no truth to the aforesaid reports.

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