Last Updated on 9 hours ago by Charbel Coorey
Darren Lehmann and Marcus Stoinis have both given their support for Justin Langer to take over as the next England Test head coach.
The former left-handed opener has now emerged as the frontrunner to replace Brendon McCullum after Andy Flower ruled himself out of contention last week, with less than a month until England’s series with Pakistan gets underway at Headingley.
The 55-year-old oversaw two Ashes series during his four-year spell in charge of Australia – the 2-2 draw in 2019 and a 4-0 triumph Down Under in 2021/22 – before he refused a short-term contract extension and resigned in February 2022 citing a breakdown in relationship with a core of senior players and board members.
Cricket Australia’s handling of the departure was criticised by Ricky Ponting at the time, with Langer subsequently linked with the England vacancy to replace then departed Chris Silverwood.
Kevin Pietersen previously warned that the England players would not take to Langer’s intense ‘headmaster’ coaching methods but more than four years on, he could be seen as the ideal candidate to lead the post-Bazball era.
Justin Langer receives public backing as he’s linked with the England job
Lehmann, who Langer succeeded as Australia coach, told Sky Sports as quoted by cricket.com.au on the day his impressive Northants Steelbacks side were crowned England domestic T20 champions: “If Langer were to go for it, he’d be a really good coach.
“Whoever takes it on, they’ve got some really talented players, I see some good players in the county system.”
Lehmann also revealed he had received no contact himself regarding the position and remains very happy coaching Northamptonshire, whom he guided to their first silverware since 2016 in stunning fashion on Finals Day at Edgbaston.
Meanwhile, Australia all-rounder Stoinis believes his former international coach would be a ‘good fit’ for the role.
Ahead of representing Southern Brave in the new season of the Hundred, the 36-year-old told Sky Sports: “If he wants to do it, and if English cricket want him, then I think he’ll do a great job.
“He’s meticulous with his homework on the teams. All he wants as a coach is the best for his players. In terms of bringing the right work ethic and the right attitude to a dressing room, Justin Langer has got all of those attributes.”
Crossing the Ashes divide
Asked whether he believes Langer would consider the opportunity with another Ashes series on the horizon, Stoinis added: “The landscape of cricket is also changing, people are coaching all around the world, players are playing all around the world, so maybe that mentality has shifted a little bit.
“If he sees the challenge and it works for him and he’s excited about it, then I wouldn’t really see why he wouldn’t do it.”
Langer is also currently in England, preparing to take charge of the re-branded Manchester Super Giants in the Hundred which is scheduled to finish on August 16, two days before England’s Test series with Pakistan gets underway.
If the Australian was to be approached, he would be faced with the decision to walk away from his franchise commitments with the Super Giants family in Manchester and at Lucknow in the IPL, or attempt to combine the duties, which Flower was not willing to do.
