Almost four days after Justin Langer snub, Pat Cummins made his first public comment. And made a huge comment regarding the former Australian coach.
Justin Langer was forced to resign from his position after his poor treatment by the Australian Cricket board. The coach, under whom Australia retained the ashes in 2019, won the T20 World Cup in 2021 and the 2021/22 Ashes, was offered only a 6-month extension on his original contract.
Later it was revealed that it was the pressure of the players that forced the board to take the decision. According to certain players Langer was very tough on them. He demanded a certain intensity from every player as well as staff member. And made them feel like walking on egg shells around him in the dressing room.
As a result, the players were not happy with the coach and might have demanded for his snubbing to the board.
Cummins however in his public comment cleared some air regarding the coach’s dismissal. According to him, it was a “brave call” on the board’s part to offer just a 6-month extension. He also clarified that the contract’s length had nothing to do with the coach’s intensity.
Cummins addresses Justin Langer’s apology
“Justin has acknowledged that his style was intense. And it was. He has apologized to players and staff for his intensity,” Cummins said in the statement.
Cummins further clarified that the apology was not required since the coach and players were on the same plane: to drive the team towards better culture and standards.
At the end of his statement Cummins hinted a jab towards his critics.
Earlier he had faced some severe backlash from Ponting, Micky Arthur, and Johnson for not taking a stand in the favor of his coach.
Answering his critics Cummins said, “just as you have stuck up for your players, I’m sticking up for mine.”
