Mark Taylor has urged newly-appointed Australian men’s coach Andrew McDonald to “keep a little bit of Justin Langer in him” as he moves forward in the role.
McDonald, who was an assistant under Langer and the interim coach after his departure, was made the full-time coach this week on a four-year deal.
Widely thought of as the players’ favourite due to his contrasting demeanour to the intense Langer, Taylor said McDonald still needed to maintain the discipline set by Langer during his three-year stint as Australia’s coach.
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“The only thing he’s got to make sure he does is to keep a little bit of Justin Langer in him, keep a little bit of toughness, just so the side doesn’t get complacent,” he told Nine’s Sports Sunday.
“Justin Langer came in to resurrect the culture, to bring some toughness back into that Australian side and to play the game a certain way. The job has been done.
“I think Andrew McDonald will bring a calmness that Justin Langer probably didn’t have. Justin was more emotional, I think Andrew will be a little bit more even-keeled and I think he’ll let the players have their say.”
While McDonald has been renowned for his player-empowerment approach, Taylor, a former Australian captain, said it would put great emphasis on current skipper Pat Cummins’ ability to be a culture-setter.
“Pat Cummins will probably have an even greater role as a guy who does set the culture, but I think it’s important from Andrew McDonald’s point of view that he keeps a handle on things,” he said.
“He is the coach of the Australian cricket side, so you want to make sure he keeps the discipline and sets that culture along with the senior players.”