All seems not well between the Australian cricketers and head coach Justin Langer as the latter’s intense “micro-management” coaching style hasn’t reportedly been liked by a lot of players.

The reports of fissures emerged in the wake of Australia’s embarrassing Test series loss at the hands of India on home soil even though the visitors were badly hit by injuries and without their regular skipper Virat Kohli (paternity leave). 

See Also: "Never ever underestimate Indians," says Justin Langer after Test series loss

According to a report in the ‘Sydney Morning Herald’ quoting multiple sources close to the Australian set-up, some players are apparently not pleased with Langer’s management style.

“Dressing-room sources say that over a gruelling summer, Langer’s management style wore thin with some players, who on top of having to live in a bubble for months on end say they have become drained by his intensity and mood swings,” Sydney Morning Herald reported.

“…some senior players are frustrated at the atmosphere in the team being brought down by the coach’s shifting emotions and what they see as too much micro-management. They say that has extended to bowlers being bombarded with statistics and instructions about where to bowl at lunch breaks including during the fourth and final Test against India at the Gabba,” the report further read.

Langer, however, rubbished the claims that his relationship with Australian cricketers had soured.

“Couldn’t be further from the truth,” adding that “leadership isn’t a popularity contest.”

“If players just want someone to tickle their stomachs all the time then I’m not doing my job.

“It’s actually the opposite of what happens. I never talk about statistics to the bowlers, ever. I don’t go to any of the bowlers’ meetings. That’s what the bowlers’ coach is meant to be doing,” he said.

“I don’t do any of that. I never, ever, ever speak to any of the bowlers about any of that sort of stuff. And the learnings of the last few months are I should start looking at that more.”

While Langer, who still has 18 months left in his contract, admitted that there is stress in his job, he has no issues with the workload.

“There are stresses to the job. It’s a big job,” he said.