'There's plenty of room for banter but strict no for verbal abuse' - Justin Langer on sledging culture

The earlier face-offs between the two cricketing heavyweights India and Australia used to be marked by bitter row and hardcore sledging. However, the times have changed are neither of the squad members would be interested in anything that would shift their focus from the game. In the same line of sequence, Australia coach Justin Langer has clearly stated that Verbal abuse won’t be tolerated during their upcoming series against India.

Langer promised that their team has moved on from those days where harsh sledging used to a usual affair. He stated that Australians would not mind indulging in banters, which will be in the spirit of the game, but strict no for verbal abuse. He took over the team’s charge in 2018 and has vowed to change the ‘win-at-all-costs’ temperament that led to the infamous ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

“There’s plenty of room for banter, having fun, and having that competitive instinct, but there’s no room for abuse. Anyone who’s watched what’s happened in the last couple of years (can see), we’ve talked about our behaviours on and off the field,” said Langer in a conference call as quoted by Times Now.

Not all will be ‘sweet and light’- Justin Langer

Langer clearly stated that it would not all be ‘sweet and light’ as it is a part of the game only to maintain the competitive spirit. He pointed out the heated exchange of comments between Virat Kohli and Tim Paine during India’s last tour in 2018-19. He said that Australian loved what the Indian skipper was doing as it was very much in the spirit of the game.

“We loved what Virat Kohli was doing, there was a great sense of humour and a great sense of theatre to it all,” he added.

Talking about the heated debate between Will Pucovski and Joe Burns as their opener, he stated that he thinks of Pucovski in very high regard. When the right time will come, he would definitely get his chance. It may be this series or the series that are coming up for the Australian team. For now, he is ready to play Test cricket.