Justin Langer has revealed why he opted towards being interviewed for the second collection of The Test as present gamers weighed in on the previous coach’s dramatic exit.
Langer’s departure will likely be a central aspect of the behind-the-scenes documentary, to be launched on Prime Video on Friday, providing an perception into how gamers reacted to the news.
David Warner, for instance, branded Cricket Australia’s determination to solely supply Langer a six-month contract a “kick in the face” and he was clearly not the one one who felt that method.
Former Test captain Tim Paine was additionally extremely crucial of the brief contract in his autobiography, describing it as “embarrassing”, “unprofessional” and “a disgrace”.
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While Langer was afforded the chance to answer all of it within the documentary collection, he as an alternative determined towards being interviewed.
Now Langer has defined that call to The Sydney Morning Herald, whereas additionally revealing whether or not he’ll nonetheless sit down to look at the collection when it’s launched.
“I was never interviewed for it and that was a choice,” Langer mentioned.
“We discussed it and realised this documentary was a lot more specifically going to be about the players. I thought it was fair. It was a strong feeling this one was going to be more about the players’ perspective.
“I’m very interested to see how it’s presented. I’m hopeful there is respect shown for everyone, not just for me. You go into these docos with a lot of faith in people. I might watch it a bit, just the first episode or so, just to make sure it’s portrayed respectfully and decently.”
Langer informed The Herald that he had no final say over the ultimate minimize in order that the product was “presented respectfully and fairly”.
“You’re going to see a few of the quotes come out,” he added.
“I haven’t seen the documentary. I haven’t seen one second of it. If there are negative connotations, people tend to go to that. If people think it’s all negative, that’s crazy.”
Langer’s exit on the finish of final summer season got here after issues have been raised surrounding his intense teaching type, one thing which can be addressed within the collection.
Pat Cummins mentioned that Langer was “brilliant when we needed him in those initial years” but in addition conceded within the first episode that some gamers have been “walking on eggshells” at instances.
Usman Khawaja, in the meantime, was quoted within the collection saying: “There was plenty of guys who don’t speak up, who don’t talk, and were afraid of JL”.
“That’s the truth,” he added.
Nathan Lyon admitted he struggled on the instances with he “ups and downs” that got here with taking part in below a coach like Langer.
But for all of the crucial suggestions there was loads of positives too, with Steve Smith crediting Langer for leaving the group in a “better place” than when he began.
“I genuinely believe that JL brought humility back into the Australian cricket team,” added Khawaja.
Even nonetheless, Langer informed The Herald that Warner was proper in declaring within the collection that the previous coach “lost a fair few players” and crucially, “probably the wrong players”.
“That’s usually how it works,” Langer mentioned.
“Davey is right. You lose a few players or people don’t like the way you go about your business, and it makes it hard. That’s also part of being a head coach. One thing I’ve learnt in life is if you try and please everyone, you please no one.
“Of course, there’s not a head coach in the history of the world who every player loves.”
But in saying that, Langer hit again at ideas he has a fractured relationship with the taking part in group to at the present time, declaring it “not true”.
“The truth is, on my kids’ lives, 90 per cent of the players I’m still in touch with,” he mentioned.
“I have been for 10 months. Every time we see each other, we give each other a hug. It’s like I was still the coach.
“When I saw the players (while commentating), it was no stress. I knew it wouldn’t be. There was this big narrative that we hated each other. It’s just not true.”
Originally revealed as ‘Lost a fair few players’: Justin Langer admits to ‘hard’ reality, explains documentary absence
