Former Australian captain Mark Taylor says he sympathises with Justin Langer, calling recent media scrutiny on the men’s coach “a little bit harsh”.
With Australia losing consecutive T20 series to the West Indies and Bangladesh in recent months, Langer’s future has become a major talking point.
MORE: Justin Langer’s job still not safe despite Cricket Australia backing
Originally signed to a four-year deal to replace Darren Lehmann following the ball tampering scandal in 2018, Langer’s deal comes to an end in the middle of next year.
After the 50-year-old received a public vote of confidence from Cricket Australia during the week, Taylor also went in to bat for his former teammate.
“No doubt [he should continue as coach],” Taylor told 2GB’s Wide World of Sports Radio.
“As you are as a coach these days, you’re under intense scrutiny, but I think it’s been a little bit harsh on Justin Langer in recent times.
“There is no doubt he took over at a tough time for Australian cricket, post the ‘Sandpapergate’ scenario. Since then we’ve had COVID, all sorts of restrictions left, right and centre.
“In recent times he’s had to take a T20 squad to the West Indies and to Bangladesh [to] play on low, slow wickets with a side minus [Aaron] Finch, [David] Warner, [Steve] Smith, [Glenn] Maxwell, [Pat] Cummins, [Josh] Hazlewood, all these sorts of names.
“I feel a bit sorry for him. Unfortunately, the performances certainly haven’t been there as much as we expect from an Australian side, but I can see things turning around very quickly.”