Injured Justin Langer keen to continue as Australia coach despite criticism

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Hurt by criticism following him since injury-ravaged India eclipsed Australia earlier this year, coach Justin Langer said most had troubled him.

In January this year, Australia lost the 1-2 home test series to an understaffed India, who made a heroic comeback under Ajinkya Rahane after losing the opener at Adelaide.

The visiting team struggled with the absence of star drummer and regular skipper Virat Kohli as well as a string of injuries to triumph in the series. Langer and Australia Test skipper Tim Paine has come under heavy criticism for tactically wading against a hobbled rival.

“Some of the things I was reading were a bit confusing actually. If I’m being completely honest, I was really hurt by some of them. The feedback I received over three years has been overwhelmingly positive about the role I have played as a coach, ”said Langer ahead of the T20 Series opener against the West Indies here on Saturday.

Australia is currently touring the West Indies for a five-game, three ODI T20 series. Langer admitted he didn’t like losing to India but was determined to do his job.

“If the board, CEO and high performance director think I’m the right person to keep moving us forward, absolutely. I love my job, ”he said.

“I didn’t like losing to India in this amazing series, nobody likes to lose. I am absolutely committed, I love my job, I love the Australian cricket team, I love the players and I love Australian cricket.

“These are the things I appreciate the most in my life. I hope I have done a very good job over the past three years, this is the feedback. May this continue for a long time. “

Langer was named Australia’s head coach in 2018 on a four-year contract, replacing Darren Lehmann.

The former left-handed opener refused to consider himself a “great coach,” insisting the team still focus on performing well at this year’s ICC World T20 in the UAE and the series Ashes at home against England from December.

“We’re not a great team yet and that’s what we all aspire to. Like I aspired to be a great coach, ”he said.

“I’m not a great coach yet, I aspire to be a great coach. I’m working on it and I hope all the players are doing the same, ”added the 50-year-old.

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