In ordinary circumstances Justin Langer would be the ideal candidate to coach the Australian men’s cricket team. But these are extraordinary circumstances, and while Langer may still prove the correct choice, by appointing a new man – especially one involved in the previous regime – before the well-publicised reviews into cultural, organisational and governance issues have taken place, Cricket Australia has opened itself to criticism.
Langer, a veteran of 105 Tests and scorer of over 7,000 Test runs, has long been groomed for the role. The 47-year old stepped in twice to relieve his predecessor Darren Lehmann, first on an ODI tour of the West Indies in 2016 and then in a home T20 series against Sri Lanka last year. These experiences burnish a coaching CV that includes three Big Bash League titles with Perth Scorchers and a transformational job with Western Australia. Before that he was a highly regarded batting and assistant coach with the national team. He ticks every box.
If only it was that straightforward. The ball-tampering scandal on the recent tour of South Africa affected Australia deeply. Leader columns and op-eds revealed something intrinsic to how Australia viewed itself as a nation had been challenged when Cameron Bancroft, David Warner and Steve Smith conspired to alter the condition of the ball in Cape Town. After the initial shock had been processed the question that lingered was: how could it have come to this?
Consensus settled on culture. Over time, imperceptibly perhaps, Australia estranged itself from the spirit of cricket. The fabled “line” shifted regularly to remain a fraction ahead of whatever the latest indiscretion happened to be, until Cape Town. It infuriated plenty outside Australia who bristled at the sledging and send-offs. “The Australian cricket team itself is not a popular cricket team, and a lot of their antics on the field have upset a lot of people,” remarked Allan Border during the South African tour.
The commissioning of twin reviews implied the penny had dropped with Australian authorities. “Cricket fans and the Australian public rightly have high expectations regarding the standards of behaviour of our national teams,” Cricket Australia chairman David Peever said. “The independent review will provide an important foundation for ensuring these expectations are met.”
Yet, before either review panel has concluded its business, the role of architect for this cultural rebuild will be a man who for most of the past 20 years as player and coach contributed to the culture deemed so problematic.
It remains to be seen if these reviews prove any more than window dressing. During the ball-tampering maelstrom Cricket Australia lost valuable sponsorship dollars at a time the governing body was in the late stages of negotiating its latest broadcast rights package. It was prudent crisis management to be seen to be doing something. The mammoth TV deal with Foxtel and Seven puts any CA decision making on much firmer footing.
When Langer was presented to the press on Thursday he explained how he intends to root his team’s culture in respect. “Respect is worth more than all the gold in the world,” he said. “It’s not just about how we play our cricket but being good citizens and good Australians.”
Later on he acknowledged the tension between that aim and the ruthlessness required to secure results. “The public will be disappointed if we don’t play good hard competitive cricket,” he asserted. “That said, we can also modify our behaviour.”
Langer’s ability to both modify behaviour and achieve results will define his tenure. Success will be measured in more than just wins and losses, for the coach and Cricket Australia.
