Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja feels that one between Aaron Finch (white-ball captain) and Pat Cummins (Test skipper) needs to answer some questions to end the speculations related to Justin Langer’s unceremonious exit as the head coach.
Justin Langer’s contract was due to end in June 2022. He was offered a six-month extension till the T20 World Cup 2022 at home, but the 51-year-old rejected the offer and resigned with immediate effect.
Langer’s decision was influenced by the reports of the board and some of the current players and members of support staff not being in favor of him continuing further.
Read Also: WATCH - "Had no idea who they will bid for," Ex-IPL auctioneer on PBKS' confused auction strategy
As Langer stepped down as the Australian head coach, there have been many speculations as to why Langer announced his sudden resignation from the role. Many fans, pundits, and former Australian cricketers have slammed Cricket Australia for their approach and also lashed out at current players for not standing up for the outgoing head coach.
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Usman Khawaja said that at some stage one of the Australian captains Aaron Finch or Pat Cummins will have to stand up and answer a few questions to get rid of speciations that are going around related to Justin Langer’s sudden resignation as the head coach.
"I think at some stage one of the captains, probably Finchy (Aaron Finch) or Patty (Pat Cummins) will probably have to stand up and answer some questions just to get rid of all the speculation that's going around and to just put an end to it all," Usman Khawaja said.
Usman Khawaja further lauded Justin Langer for bringing back humility in Australian cricket. He labeled this as the legacy the 51-year-old left behind, highlighting that they played a different brand of cricket under him.
"One thing that I do love JL for, what I feel he bought back into Australia was humility. I felt like he brought humility back in the Australian cricket team. You talk about legacy, for me, that's one thing that he's left behind.
“Because I know what we were playing like before he was coach, and I know what we were playing like after he became a coach. So I haven't said that to him yet. So I'm saying it to you guys," he said.
Under Justin Langer, Australia retained the Ashes 2019 in England and then later won the T20 World Cup 2021. They also thumped England 4-0 in the recently concluded Ashes 2021-22.
(ESPNCricifno inputs)
