Pat Cummins, Australia’s Test captain, on Wednesday issued a statement on former coach Justin Langer’s resignation. The team’s leading pacer in the five-day format said that the Kangaroos need ‘a new style of coaching and skill set’. 

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Langer last week resigned as the coach. Accepting his decision, Cricket Australia had said that the 51-year-old was offered a short-term to his current contract, ‘which sadly he has opted not to accept’. 

Langer’s resignation letter was made public by The Australian, where the former coach said that he is happy with his decision, further adding that the speculation around his coaching tenure took a toll on his family and he would like to ‘go out on a high’

Australia’s several former cricketers including Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting lashed out at the cricket board for the way Langer was let go. Former pacer Mitchell Johnson labelled Cummins as “gutless” and said the Test skipper has an agenda to bring his own coach.

Cummins, in his statement, spoke to the Aussie legends. “Just as you have always stuck up for your mates, I’m sticking up for mine.”

“There has been much public comment since Justin Langer’s resignation as coach of the Australian cricket team. For good reason, I have not made a public comment before today. Now that a decision has been made by Justin to resign and given his own public comments and others by Cricket Australia, I can provide some clarity,” he added.

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Cummins full statement:

“Justin has acknowledged his style was intense, he has apologized to players and staff for his intensity and I think the apology was unnecessary because the players were okay with JL’s intensity. His intensity was not the issue for the players and support staff. To be better players of Australia, from this solid foundation, we need a new style of coaching and skill set.”

“This was the feedback the players gave to Cricket Australia and it is the feedback I understand the support staff also gave. CA has made a brave call to transition, given the team has been winning. I take this responsibility seriously. I live and breathe it. We also have a duty to our mates.”

Justin Langer, who used to open for Australia in his playing days, took up the coaching job after the sandpaper gate in 2018. Under his leadership, the team won T20 World Cup 2021 and then the Ashes.