Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has only added fuel to the Justin Langer fire by once again failing to publicly endorse the coach.
The immediate future of Langer is clear as mud, after reports surfaced earlier this week claiming the coach was involved in a fiery meeting with Cricket Australia chiefs Nick Hockley and Ben Oliver.
Langer’s contract expires in a few months’ time, and while he wishes to continue in the role he is yet to be offered an extension. It was reported CA even suggested he may need to reapply for his own job and go through a proper process.
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While a host of Langer’s former teammates have come out in support of a contract extension, the overall silence from the current playing group has been deafening. Almost all of his support has come from former players, or from Western Australia, where he is based.
Cummins spoke to media today for the first time since the Ashes series finished, and he was once again asked to comment on the escalating Langer situation.
And, once again, the captain was noncommittal.
“It’s in Cricket Australia’s hands,” he said.
“JL’s been doing a fantastic job, he’s been there for four years, his contract is obviously up soon, they’re just going through an evaluation process at the moment, which I think is fair, the right thing to do.
“We all get evaluated all the time as cricketers. It’s part of a high-performance environment.
“That process is happening, it’s a decision for Cricket Australia and we just have to wait.”
Cummins was probed on the issue but refused to elaborate.
“That’s Cricket Australia’s job, it’s not my job,” said Cummins.
“I’ve really loved my time working with JL.
“There’s been a process, I’ve been part of that, a lot of other players have been part of that. It’s just like when we get evaluated.
“I’ve got huge respect for JL, I’ve really liked working with him, but it’s not my call.”
It was during the 2020-21 summer that reports of unease among the Test playing group towards Langer first surfaced.
That eventually escalated to the point Cricket Australia called for mediation between the national coach, Cummins, then-Test captain Tim Paine, and limited overs captain Aaron Finch.
As a result of that meeting Langer agreed to relinquish some of his duties and give more power to the players, as well as assistant coaches Andrew McDonald and Michael Di Venuto.
In the months that followed, Australia won a Twenty20 World Cup and an Ashes series 4-0.
The fact the drastic improvement came after Langer took a back seat may be telling in what Cricket Australia decide to do next.
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