Former Australia opener Justin Langer has extended his WACA coaching contract for two years, ruling out the possibility of him taking up an assignment as the Indian cricket team’s chief coach.
Langer’s name had suddenly cropped up as one of the possible candidates for the India job, a position that has been lying vacant after Zimbabwean Duncan Fletcher completed his tenure at the end of the World Cup.
The left-handed batsman, who was touted as a possible candidate for the vacant India and England coaching jobs, on Tuesday said he was flattered to have been associated with such high-profile roles but that his commitment to his family came ahead of the demands of travelling with an international team.
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The Western Australian Cricket Association confirmed Langer’s tenure at the helm of Warriors in the Bupa Sheffield Shield and Matador Cup, and reigning KFC T20 Bash League champion Perth Scorchers has been extended to the end of the 2017-18 season.
The 44-year-old player, who represented Australia in 105 Tests and eight ODIs, though did admit that his name being linked to big teams like India and England have certainly helped to galvanise his coaching position.
“I am flattered to be associated with potential international coaching opportunities, but the timing isn’t right for my family and I still feel there is much work to be done here in Western Australian and Australian cricket,” Langer was quoted as saying on the Cricket Australia website.
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“Having spent nearly 20 years on the road with the Australian team as a player and then coach, I respect what an enormous commitment it is to be away from your family for almost 12 months of the year.”
Langer’s decision leaves fellow Australian Jason Gillespie, now coach of English county champion Yorkshire, as favourite for the England job.