‘Justin Langer could step down as coach if Australia win Ashes’ – Michael Clarke

Former Australia skipper Michael Clarke has opined that head coach Justin Langer might step down from the role if Australia wins the upcoming Ashes against England. The high-octane series begins on December 8 in Brisbane. After copping a fair bit of criticism for Australia’s poor show in the T20I series against West Indies and Bangladesh, Langer and Australia turned a corner by winning their maiden 20-20 World Cup.

Clarke revealed that if Australia wins the Ashes, that will be a big high of Langer’s career after which he may not want to stay at the helm. “He wanted Australia to be the best team in the world. He wanted us to play a brand of cricket that he’s proud of, and we’ve just won the World Cup. If we can win the Ashes as well, he’s achieved everything that he’s come here for, and knowing Langer he won’t coach for the wrong reasons,” Sydney Morning Herald quoted Clarke as saying.

Clarke further said that he would love to see Langer walk away on his own terms. “I hope – not just for the players, but for him – that we can continue this form, win the Ashes series, and then give him the option to do whatever he wants to do. If he thinks his job is done, then I think he’ll walk away, and I’d love to see him walk away on his own terms,” he added.

Clarke also heaped praise on Australia opening batter David Warner, who was adjudged Player of the Tournament in 20-20 World Cup. He ended up scoring 289 runs and got the team off to flying starts in most of the seven matches. “He was brilliant throughout the tournament and had the courage to still play his natural game. Yeah, I’ve got no doubt that he would walk into these Test series now full of confidence,” said Clarke.