India series was a massive wake-up call: Justin Langer

Justin Langer was a tough character during his playing days. A technically sound batsman, Langer went on to become one of the finest openers in Australia. He was with the squad during the time when the team was at its peak. But, his contributions didn’t just end there. After the ball-tampering incident which rocked the cricketing world and Australia’s cricket reputation was tarnished, he stepped in taking up the role of the head coach.

He was given the responsibility of coaching the team and earning back the respect of the fans. However, his journey wasn’t pleasant at the beginning. They were blanked by England in an away five-match ODI series and then Australia lost the Test series at home for the first time ever. During a recent interview, Justin Langer revealed how the India series was an eye-opener for him as the coach.

It was a really tough time in my life, recalls Justin Langer

He said that the 2-1 series loss at home against India was a massive wake-up call for him. Langer referred to that time as one of the toughest in his life. “That was a massive wake-up call and a really tough time in my life”, said Langer during a podcast by Australian Associated Press.

The 49-year-old also added that after 10 years, he would look back at that phase as the time which made his coaching career. “I’ve got no doubt in 10 years’ time, I will look back on that period and it will be the making of my coaching career”, he added.

Justin Langer took the reference of the 2001 Ashes series when he got dropped. He reveals that as a 31-year-old back then, he thought it was the end of his career and how that phase made him a better person and cricketer. He says that during the tough times, a person learns some amazing lessons.

“In 2001 when I got dropped from the Australian team at 31 years of age I thought that was the end. That was the making of me as a cricketer and a person. It was amazing what lessons you can learn in adversity,” he further added. The former Australia opener also felt that the current situation of the global pandemic can make one a better person.

“In adversity, like in the great crisis, we are going through right now (with the coronavirus). Like the crisis of the Australian cricket team with sandpaper on the ball, in adversity never waste it. Because great lessons come from them and if you grasp them you will be a better person”, the Australian coach revealed.