Pat Cummins breaks silence on Justin Langer resignation

Cummins has been heavily criticised in recent days by former teammates of Langer, with Mitchell Johnson going as far as to call him "gutless"

Pat Cummins has broken his silence following the resignation of Justin Langer as Australia's head coach.

The 51-year-old's departure has been much-publicised and came despite winning the T20 World Cup in November and the Ashes a month later.

Andrew McDonald has been placed in temporary charge after Langer rejected the offer from Cricket Australia of a six-month extension which would have seen him through to the T20 World Cup at the end of the year on home soil.

Cummins, who replaced Tim Paine as Test captain ahead of the Ashes series, has been heavily criticised in recent days by former teammates of Langer, with Mitchell Johnson going as far as to call Cummins "gutless".

But in a lengthy statement, in which Cummins thanked Langer, defended his colleagues and explained his reasons for keeping counsel until a decision had been made, he also praised the oft-debated intensity of the former coach.

"Justin has acknowledged that his style was intense. And it was," he said. "He has apologised to players and staff for his intensity. I think the apology was unnecessary. Because the players were OK with JL's intensity.

"It came from a good place – his fierce love of Australia and the baggy green – something which has served Australian cricket well for three decades. It's what makes him a legend of the sport. And Justin's intensity drove a better team culture and higher team standards. These are significant Justin Langer legacies."

He added: "And on behalf of the players, I thank Justin. "More than that, we owe him a lot and Justin will be a welcome face in the change room in the future."

^{Langer has resigned as Australia's head coach, having taken over following the sandpaper scandal (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)}

Langer's exit was founded instead on a need for a different style of coaching, said Cummins, who suggested that this feedback was given to Cricket Australia by players and support staff alike.

"I add that as professional sportspeople we would have accepted any decision CA were to make because that's what professionals do," he said. "CA have made a brave call to transition, given the team has been winning."

Cummins ended his statement with a message for the list of former Australia internationals who have spoken out in support of Langer.

He said: "Finally, we are custodians of cricket, with one very big thing in common: our first duty is to Australian cricket, which is bigger than any one of us. I take this responsibility seriously. I live and breathe it. We also have a duty to our mates.

"Many former players have reached out to me and silently offered me their advice which is welcome. Some others have spoken in the media – which is also welcome and comes from a love of the game and their support of a mate.

Statement from Pat Cummins on Justin Langer. pic.twitter.com/zgb1tiSIu7

— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) February 9, 2022

"To all past players, I want to say this — just as you have always stuck up for your mates, I'm sticking up for mine."

In other news, Australia's T20I mini-series in New Zealand, which was scheduled for next month, has been cancelled due to a lack of managed isolation quarantine spots for the tourists.

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