CA addresses 'inaccurate' news report on Langer

Cricket Australia has taken the unusual step of rebutting claims national men's team coach Justin Langer was involved in a "heated meeting" last week at which his future in the role was reportedly discussed.

Fox Sports reported yesterday Langer met with CA Chief Executive Officer Nick Hockley and Executive General Manager of High Performance and National Teams Ben Oliver in Melbourne last Friday at which the prospect of Langer having to re-apply for his job was raised.

However, CA released a statement today pointing out that, while the meeting did take place, it was neither "fiery" nor "heated" and Langer was not told he would be asked to submit to another application process if he was to remain in the role he has held since 2018.

In noting it was CA policy not to comment publicly on private discussions, today's statement reaffirmed Langer remained contracted until the middle of this year and the process of appointing the men's team coach was always going to begin in the wake of this summer's Vodafone Ashes series.

"There were a number of inaccuracies in a story written by Tom Morris on the Fox Sports website on Monday concerning a meeting between Australian men's team Head Coach Justin Langer, Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley and EGM of High Performance and National Teams Ben Oliver on Friday," CA said in a statement released this morning.

"While we do not comment on confidential conversations, we felt on this occasion it was important to correct the record.

"Among other false claims, we reject outright the assertion that the meeting was fiery or heated and that Justin was asked to reapply for his job.

"Justin has always been contracted as Head Coach through to the middle of this year and we have consistently maintained that discussions around the future of the role would commence following the conclusion of the men's Ashes series.

"Friday's meeting was the first time that we had the opportunity to meet together in person, reflect on the team's success and discuss the road ahead.

"We will continue with this process and make an announcement once it is complete."

Langer was appointed men's team coach in the wake of the 2018 sandpaper scandal in South Africa and his coaching future became the centre of public speculation last year when it was reported his intense approach had caused ructions within the player group.

After meetings with senior players including then Test captain Tim Paine, limited-overs skipper Aaron Finch and current Test captain Pat Cummins, Langer took a step back in his role and handed more day-to-day responsibility to assistant coaches Andrew McDonald and Michael Di Venuto.

In the wake of those changes, Australia surged to a maiden triumph at last year's T20 World Cup in the UAE and then completed a 4-0 humbling of England to retain the Ashes.

The men's team's next assignment is a five-match Dettol T20I series at home to Sri Lanka, followed by an all-format tour to Pakistan, in which the first of three Tests is scheduled to begin on March 3.

Western Australian resident Langer, who has not been home since last September, is on leave through the Sri Lanka series, with McDonald to take the reins in his absence.

Qantas Tour of Pakistan 2022

March 3-7: First Test, Karachi

March 12-16: Second Test, Rawalpindi

March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore

March 29: First ODI, Lahore

March 31: Second ODI, Lahore

April 2: Third ODI, Lahore

April 5: Only T20, Lahore

All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports