Langer sees extended COVID-19 break as an opportunity to fix Australia's club and domestic cricket

Australia once had a thriving state and club level setups.

 Justin Langer | GettyWith most countries imposing lockdown, closing borders and issuing travel restrictions to avoid the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, cricket has come to a grinding halt.

It has been over 45 days since any form of domestic or international cricket was last played and Australia coach Justin Langer sees this extended break as an opportunity to fix the issues that have seeped into the country’s once thriving state and club level setups.

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There was a time when Australia used to field an 'A' squad alongside its main team for an annual limited-overs triangular series during the summer.

"It wasn't that long ago that we prided ourselves on having an amazing club cricket system that fed into state domestic cricket, which fed into the best of the best playing for Australia," Langer told ABC Grandstand on Fox Sports.

"I see it (the current situation) as an amazing opportunity. I can see it (domestic cricket setup) actually going back that way.

"More emphasis back on club cricket, more emphasis on state cricket then get the best of the best in Australia. That would be my vision for the next five years," the former opener added.

Had everything being normal, the Australian players would have gathered in Brisbane before flying to Bangladesh for two World Test Championship fixtures.

But like all other sporting events, the Coronavirus outbreak forced Cricket Australia and its Bangladesh counterpart to suspend the series indefinitely.

"We've got to make sure they're all in tip-top condition. I actually can't wait to see how they come back without all the bells and whistles... it's going to be a really good indication of the hungry, self-resilient and self-reliant players," the Aussie head coach said.

Justin Langer has been regularly offering suggestions during CA chief executive Kevin Roberts' discussions with staff, while also staying in touch with players.

"We've got to keep moving the ship in the right direction ... our guys come back off their leave on May 18," he stated.

(With PTI inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 04 May, 2020

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