Former Australia captain Michael Clarke reacted to his 2015 World Cup-winning teammate Mitchell Johnson slamming current Test skipper Pat Cummins over his non-endorsement of Justin Langer as the head coach of the Australian team while his position was under review for contract extension by Cricket Australia recently.
Clarke believes that the reputation of Pat Cummins has taken a hit after Justin Langer resigned as the coach of the senior men's team. Langer’s resignation was accepted by CA on Saturday with a statement saying: "Justin was offered a short-term extension to his current contract, which sadly he has opted not to accept.”
Justin Langer in his resignation letter to CA stated that there were players in the Australian team and some support staff members that no longer wanted him to be associated with the team anymore. He also rejected CA’s offer of a six-month contract extension as Australia head coach, enough to cover the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022 to be held at home.
This led to Mitchell Johnson slamming Pat Cummins, calling him ‘gutless’ and saying the Test skipper has an agenda to bring his own coach.
Meanwhile, reacting to Johnson’s words, Michael Clarke said on The Big Sports Breakfast, as reported by Fox Sports: "The Australian public isn't stupid and this is my point with Pat Cummins. His reputation is squeaky-clean. Right now it has taken a hit, until he stands there and voices his opinion. Look what Mitchell Johnson said about Pat Cummins. A teammate, a friend of his has smoked him.”
"My advice to Patty is he has got to stand there. He needs to tell the fans where he sits on this because everyone thinks it is Patty who made the decision. That accountability sits with him. He is trying to honor both parties and has done it very well. He is trying to look after Cricket Australia. I don't like seeing Pat get smacked for this because I think he is in a lose-lose situation. He sits right in the middle," he added.
Langer was appointed as the men's team coach in 2018 after the Sandpaper Gate which saw David Warner, Steve Smith serving out one-year bans. Under Langer, Australia managed to win the T20 World Cup 2021 and then the Ashes 2021-22, defeating England 4-0 at home.
“Patty needs to come out and make his opinion very clear. Cricket Australia has to allow him to be open and honest otherwise he will be blamed for this. A lot of people are smashing him for this," said Clarke.
"I saw Mitchell Johnson's comments, he smoked him. I think a lot of people are thinking what Mitch is thinking. You've got the likes of Mark Taylor talking about it, Steve Waugh making comments, Ricky Ponting's comments are very strong. I'm suggesting to Pat Cummins as the leader, he needs to stand tall and explain to past players -- Mitchell Johnson, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden -- plus the fans and cricket lovers, what the hell is going on here," he added.
Andrew McDonald has been named the interim coach of the Australian team for their upcoming T20I series at home.
(ANI inputs)
