Justin Langer‘s next career move has been confirmed, with the former Australia coach joining Channel Seven’s commentary team to provide analysis on the Test side he recently coached. Langer’s move was announced on Friday after being widely expected when he withdrew from the opportunity to coach Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL.
Close friend Ricky Ponting – also a Channel Seven commentator – had pursued Langer to coach Hurricanes, after himself being appointed as their head of strategy.
But Ponting confirmed last week that Langer had decided against returning to coaching in the short term, and will now commentate on the players he coached for four years.
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Seven’s coverage is only available in Australia, as CA have two television broadcasters providing separate broadcast feeds with separate commentary teams on Australia’s home Test matches. Foxtel provides the global feed, with Seven broadcasting to local Australian audiences only.
But Langer’s move will likely cause some intrigue as he comments on the team that he departed from in messy circumstances earlier this year. Langer had wanted to continue coaching Australia’s men’s team long-term, but was only offered a six-month contract extension in February after relationships with players and staff had become strained over the previous 15 months.
Instead, Langer chose to resign rather than accept the short-term extension.
A raft of Langer’s former team-mates – including Ponting – had delivered a chorus of criticism of both CA and the players in the aftermath, forcing Test captain Pat Cummins to defend his team’s role in the saga.
Australia’s next Test assignment will be a home two-match series against West Indies starting in Perth in late November, which is likely to be Langer’s commentary debut.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo