I absolutely disagree: Cummins hits back at Johnson’s ‘agenda’ claims

Australia Test captain Pat
Cummins said his team needs a more collaborative “new style” of coaching to succeed
in international cricket. Cummins’ comment came after a controversy broke out
in Australian cricket following Justin Langer‘s resignation as chief coach.
Australia recently won the Ashes 4-0 against England at home.

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In the wake of Langer’s
resignation, which is being viewed as a forced resignation as senior members of
the Australian team were not happy with his tough nature of coaching, Cummins
and his team members have been slammed by several former Australian players for
not publicly supporting the coach.

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Langer took over the reins
of the Australian team at a difficult time following the sandpaper-gate scandal
in South Africa in 2018. He was indeed successful in uplifting the team’s image
installing a sense of Fairplay among his wards. Under his tutelage, Australia
retained the Ashes and won the ICC T20 World Cup for the first time.

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Cummins said he is “sticking
up” for his mates just as the former Australian players were backing their
former teammate Langer.

Johnson slams Cummins

The Australian captain was
brutally criticised by former fast bowler Mitchell Johnson during a press
conference.

“He had plenty of public
opportunities to endorse an extension for Langer. So when he let it through to
the keeper every time, it became pretty obvious he didn’t want it to
happen,” Johnson had written in his column for The West Australian.

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“Cummins holds a lot of
power and must have been central to what’s happened. He is 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, however, said that
he “absolutely disagree” with him.

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“Emotion flying around”

“I know, I can’t believe a
fast bowler’s having a go at me,” said Cummins jokingly before he responded
in a more serious manner.

“He’s just standing up for
his mates. I absolutely disagree with what he said. No, he hasn’t reached out,
but that’s fine. He’s entitled to his opinion, he’s standing up for his mate. I
can hold my head high so I’m fine,” said the Aussie fast bowler.

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The 28-year-old pacer, who
was appointed captain just ahead of the Ashes after Tim Paine resigned in the
wake of the sex-text scandal, said he is willing to discuss the situation with
former cricketers. “There’s been a lot of emotion flying around,” Cummins said.
“Added to the feedback, you’ve got to take everything in that kind of context.
They’re all people I really respect so I listen to for sure. I’d welcome
chatting to any of them directly about feedback and thoughts they have.