Cricket Australia denies 'fiery' Langer contract talks

Cricket Australia has released a statement denying that head coach Justin Langer threw a tantrum at a "fiery" meeting after being told he may need to reapply for his job. Langer's four-year contract ends in mid-2022 and there is speculation over his future, despite Australia's recent success in the Ashes series and at the T20 World Cup.

Local media reports said Langer, whose intense management style created dressing room tensions last year, "went ballistic" during talks with senior Cricket Australia staff over his future. Australia recently won their maiden T20 World Cup in the UAE and then also smashed England 4-0 at home. 

The 51-year-old was reportedly incensed at the prospect of having to reapply for the job he took in 2018, when Australian cricket was mired in the Sandpaper-gate cheating scandal. Cricket Australia confirmed contract discussions with Langer began last Friday but rejected suggestions the meeting turned ugly.

"There were a number of inaccuracies in a story written by Tom Morris on the Fox Sports website on Monday concerning a meeting between Australian men's team Head Coach Justin Langer, Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley and EGM of High Performance and National Teams Ben Oliver on Friday," CA said in a statement released this morning.

"While we do not comment on confidential conversations, we felt on this occasion it was important to correct the record. Among other false claims, we reject outright the assertion that the meeting was fiery or heated and that Justin was asked to reapply for his job.

"Justin has always been contracted as Head Coach through to the middle of this year and we have consistently maintained that discussions around the future of the role would commence following the conclusion of the men's Ashes series.

"Friday's meeting was the first time that we had the opportunity to meet together in person, reflect on the team's success and discuss the road ahead. We will continue with this process and make an announcement once it is complete."

Former opening batter Langer restored Australia's cricketing pride after the ball-tampering affair in South Africa revealed the national side was plagued by a toxic win-at-all-costs mentality. But there have long been rumours of discontent over his "headmaster-like" leadership style and former captain Tim Paine revealed last August that players had complained to Langer about the issue.

(With inputs from AFP)