Last Updated on 4 years ago by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: “Different style of coach is needed for this team” – Pat Cummins | Cummins spoke to the media after Justin Langer’s resignation

Australia captain Pat Cummins has broken his silence following Justin Langer’s resignation. Speaking to the media in Sydney ahead of Australia’s T20I series against Sri Lanka, Cummins provided some details about what the team was after from a coaching perspective after releasing a statement earlier in the day.

“This group looking forward, there’s a few things through the review process we really wanted and what was important to get the best out of our players” Cummins said.

“I think the players would benefit from a more collaborative approach [with the coach]. I think a big theme for this summer was being calm, more composed. That was really clear in the feedback from players, support staff and Cricket Australia.”

“That’s the direction we want to take the team.”

“Now is the right time for a different direction” – Pat Cummins

Cummins thanked Justin Langer for the job he did after coming in at a challenging time and that he loved working with him. Also, he credited the former coach for adjusting his style over the past six months after intense discussions before the T20 World Cup.

However, Cummins admitted that now is the right time for a different direction with important tours coming up in 2022.

“We believe it’s the right time for a different direction. It’s a matter of opinion, but we think it’s the right one”, Cummins said.

The captain then pointed to how the difference of opinion between Langer and the players ultimately led to this predicament.

“Difference of opinion. If you can’t resolve those differences of opinion, then it’s time for change. And that’s what’s happened” – said Cummins later in the press conference.

“Completely disagree with Mitchell Johnson”

Former Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson went in hard at Pat Cummins over the weekend following the news of Langer. Johnson, previously Cummins’ teammate, was scathing of Cummins the captain.

In his column for The West Australian, Johnson wrote, “Cummins might have delivered with the ball during the Ashes series, but he has failed his first big test as captain pretty miserably…. He’s clearly had an agenda to get in a coach he wants. His recent interviews have been gutless by not respecting his coach when he could have been upfront from the start.”

Cummins responded by saying he disagrees with the comments, but respected that he is entitled to his opinion and to defend a friend.

“He’s just sticking up for a mate,” Cummins said. “I absolutely disagree with what he said – he hasn’t reached out, and that’s fine, he’s sticking up for a mate. I know I can hold my head high, I’m fine,” said Cummins in response to a question on Johnson’s comment.

Australia move forward with Sri Lanka and Pakistan series

So little has been made of Australia’s upcoming five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, with the Langer saga dominating the headlines. The defending T20 World Cup champions will play the first of five matches against the Lions on February 11 at the SCG, before the series moves to Canberra and Melbourne.

“I think the players would benefit from a more collaborative approach. I think a big theme for this summer was being calm, more composed. That was really clear in the feedback from players, support staff and Cricket Australia.”

Pat Cummins

Australia will then tour Pakistan for the first time since 1998 for three Tests, three ODIs and a T20I. They have named their squad for the Test series, with Ashton Agar included to bolster the spin stocks.

Currently, Andrew McDonald is at the helm as the interim coach as Cricket Australia looks for Justin Langer’s replacement.