Last Updated on 4 years ago by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: Justin Langer resigns as Australia coach: The reactions from fans & former players | Hayden, Ponting, Waugh throw support behind Langer

After months of speculation and back-and-forth about his contract, Justin Langer officially resigned as Australia coach on Saturday.

Langer made the decision after Cricket Australia (CA) only offered him a short-term deal until this year’s T20 World Cup. This was after Langer was reportedly told last week that he would have to reapply for the position, resulting in a standoff between he and the board.

Reaction to the news has been rife, with former players and fans throwing their support behind Langer. The former opener, who took over at one of Australia’s lowest points after Cape Town in 2018, helped rebuild the team. Under his watch, the Test side reached number one in the world and won their first ever T20 World Cup.

Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh throw support behind Justin Langer

It was no secret that Langer and the players were at a crossroads. News of player discontent filtered through the media following Australia’s 2-1 series defeat at home to India in the summer of 2020/21, before further issues in the West Indies and Bangladesh tours.

This led to crisis talks between Langer and the players, where it was reported that the discussions led to positive outcomes. Australia then went on to win the T20 World Cup and retain the Ashes with conviction, but it wasn’t enough to sway CA into offering Langer a long-term deal.

Long-time opening partner Matthew Hayden was particularly passionate about the situation. “We love Justin — not just me, but the Australian community — because he came in and said no way, we’re going to play the game in the sort of manner that will make Australians proud again,” said Hayden to ABC Summer Grandstand.

“The whole saga has reeked of this leaking boat mentality, with messages coming out here and there, even last week the report about Justin blowing up. In reality, there is no inner sanctum anymore.”

– Matthew Hayden

Former captain Ricky Ponting also weighed in, calling February 5 one of the saddest days in Australian cricket. He also mentioned his disappointment at how Tim Paine was treated as he resigned from the captaincy on the eve of the Ashes.

“It’s a really sad day in cricket,” Ponting said to the ABC.

“And it’s been poor and embarrassing the way Cricket Australia have handled things involving some of the better people in the sport over the past six months, with paine and langer

– Ricky Ponting

Steve Waugh, one of Australia’s finest ever batsmen and captains, also threw his support behind Langer.

Taking to Instagram, Waugh wrote, “Plenty of Buzz words but no clarity as to why Justin Langer is no longer deemed worthy of the coaching role. Not sure how the team evolves and transitions from being loved by the public ,being ranked number one is test cricket and the World Champions in T20 #becarefulwhatyouwishfor #doesntaddup #pleaseexplain“.

Fans, pundits and players disappointed with the way Justin Langer was treated

Social media was filled with support for Langer from fans, pundits and former teammates.