'If I came across as 'too intense', I apologise' - Justin Langer in emotional letter to Cricket Australia

Justin Langer is extremely content and proud of what the Australian team achieved under him but has apologised to all those he coached in case he “came across as too intense”. Langer submitted his resignation to Cricket Australia after denying the board’s offer for a short-term contract extension until the T20 World Cup, scheduled in Australia later this year.

Langer, who took over the job from Darren Lehmann in the aftermath of the infamous Newlands ball-tampering episode, found himself in scrutiny a few times in his tenure, and that was at peak when Australia ill-performed on tours of West Indies and Bangladesh in the lead-up to the 2021 T20 World Cup in UAE.

As fate would have it, Australia clinched their maiden glory at the multi-team event by defeating neighbours New Zealand in the summit clash and followed that by a dominant show against England at home in the Ashes, leading to speculations of a contract extension for Langer. However, he felt “it is in everyone’s best interests for the Australian cricket team to begin the next chapter immediately”.

I am grateful that today, I am going out on a high: Justin Langer

In a letter, he stated: “There has been a great deal of media speculation on my future as the Australian men’s cricket coach over the last 12 months and this has taken an enormous toll on my family. I hope through this time, and throughout my tenure, I have held myself with integrity and dignity.

“Last night I was offered a short-term contract until the end of the T20 World Cup in Australia, with the sentiment of ‘going out on a high’. After careful consideration, I have decided not to accept this contract renewal, and as a result, I believe it is in everyone’s best interests for the Australian cricket team to begin the next chapter immediately.

“If media reports are correct, several senior players and a couple of support staff don’t support me moving forward, and it is now apparent the CA board, and you Nick, are also keen to see the team move in another direction. I respect that decision.”

“My life has been built on values of honesty, respect, trust, truth, and performance and if that comes across as ‘too intense’ at times, I apologise.”

CA CEO Nick Hockley clarified following Langer’s decision to step down that the board was in favour of having him at the helm at least until closer to the year-end, which is when the T20 World Cup is scheduled. However, Langer opted against it and said he feels he is leaving the Australian team better-situated than when he took over.

“It is said that in any venture if you leave things in a better place than when you started then you have done your job.

“Whilst it is not up to me to judge, I hope Australians respect what has been achieved over the last four years in Australian cricket. From day one I believed it was possible to both win and play the game in the spirit that is now expected from our supporters.

“For the last four years it has been proven this can be achieved and I am very proud of the team for their efforts on and off the cricket field. I hope we have made Australians proud and earned respect from countries around the world.

“In terms of ‘going out on a high’, I am blessed to have been a part of a T20 World Cup-winning squad, an Ashes-winning squad, watched the Test team rise to #1 ranked team in the world today, been selected as the Wisden Coach of the Year and been elevated to the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame; all this in the last five months. I am grateful that today, I am going out on a high.”