Justin Langer Rules Out India, England Jobs With Western Australia Extension
Justin Langer's name came up as a possible replacement for Duncan Fletcher as India coach while he was also touted as the best man to fill in the vacant England job left by sacked Peter Moores.
Former Australia Test batsman Justin Langer ruled himself out of the running for the India and England coaching jobs by signing a two-year contract extension with Western Australia on Tuesday. (Ganguly for India coach? Why not, says Gavaskar)
Langer had been linked with both the job of replacing Duncan Fletcher, whose contract with India expired at the end of the World Cup in March, and the position left vacant after England sacked Peter Moores two weeks ago.
"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," the 44-year-old said in a news release.
"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.
"There is no doubt I have aspirations to coach internationally, but that will depend upon timing and opportunity in the future."
Current Australia coach Darren Lehmann, who is contracted until the end of June 2017, earlier this year nominated his former test team mate as his likely successor.
Langer was appointed Western Australia coach in 2012 and has guided them to the last two Sheffield Shield finals, this year's domestic state one-day title and, as the Perth Scorchers, the last two Big Bash Twenty20 titles.
His achievement is all the more notable for the fact that he had to turn around the culture of a team which had attracted more headlines for their activities off the pitch than their exploits on it.
"WA cricket is extremely fortunate to have someone of Justin's talent, character, dedication and passion to help guide our players," Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) chief executive Christina Matthews said.
"Justin came into his position at a time of great challenges for the WACA, but his mantra of 'character over coverdrives' and his devotion to producing great people, not just great cricketers, has turned our men's programme into a model for Australian cricket."
"WA cricket is extremely fortunate to have someone of Justin's talent, character, dedication and passion to help guide our players," she said. Langer has also been touted as a potential successor to Australia coach Darren Lehmann.
Langer's decision leaves fellow Australian Jason Gillespie, now the coach of county champions Yorkshire, as a favourite for the England job as the squad prepare for a home Ashes series against their arch-rivals beginning in July.