Justin Langer exit 'got messy,' admits new chairman of Cricket Australia
- Planet Sport writer
- 17 February 2022
Lachlan Henderson promises more transparency in the future to avoid damaging scandals.
New Cricket Australia chairman Lachlan Henderson has admitted Justin Langer's exit as coach 'got messy.'
Australia thrashed England in the Ashes either side of the new year and many, including Langer, believed that deserved a long-term contract extension.
However, Cricket Australia opted to only offer a six-month deal leading to something of an acrimonious split this month.
The situation was further complicated by Test captain Pat Cummins endorsing CA's refusal to committ to Langer and syaing the players wanted a new coach.
Henderson, though, who assumes the position of chairman after three years as a Cricket Australia director, says the situation should have been dealt with behind closed doors.
"It is unfortunate that a bit of that played out in the media and we'll reflect on whether that should have been accelerated through the summer," Henderson said.
"But it was always our intention to make that decision at the end of the summer, and we followed that process. It got messy in terms of things playing out in the media."
Cricket Australia have been blighted with controversy in recent years, with a ball-tampering scandal in 2018 and former Test captain Tim Paine forced to resign over a "sexting" controversy.
Henderson, though, says he is determined to clean up their act and will appoint an ethics commissioner as soon as possible.
"My communication style will be open, transparent and hopefully consistent," he said.
"Within the bounds of the confidentiality of boards, I hope there's a really open and transparent way forward."
