Former Australian coach Justin Langer could soon be offered a leadership and mentoring role by the same Cricket Australia board he was at odds with just last weekend.
As first reported by Fairfax's Daniel Brettig, the Western Australian's working relationship with Cricket Australia's chief executive officer Nick Hockley would act as the catalyst to keeping the punchy opener within the country's cricketing circles.
Despite standing down from his stewarding role last Saturday after suitable contractual terms could not be created, Langer will not continue in any position with the nation's red and white-ball teams.
Still, as stated by Hockley when speaking to Brettig, a role fostering the mental and physical skills of youngsters at the National Cricket Centre may soon be the 51-year-old's vocation.
“Absolutely, I’d love to think 'JL' [Langer] will continue to be involved in Australian cricket,” Hockley said.
Still, despite Hockley's opening enthusiasm, the CEO himself claimed that any offer to Langer would need to be tabled at the right time.
“He’s got so much to offer and it’s something we’re keen to discuss with 'JL' and his management at the right time," he added.
“He’s been an incredible mentor to a huge number of players over his coaching career, and exactly how we can make sure he stays involved and what that looks like is something we’re keen to discuss. We’re really keen to find a way that he can stay involved.″
Given the likelihood of frayed relationships between he and members within the nation's men's team, the possible position would allow for Langer to continue in some form of a coaching role whilst remaining away from key members of the XI.
With the left-hander walking away from a six-month offer to continue leading the Australian side fresh off a 4-0 Ashes victory, Hockley delineated exactly how the Langer's departure came to pass.
“It’s pretty clear Justin was looking for a longer-term contract,” Hockley said.
“He certainly felt he’d done all he could to justify a longer-term contract, but through the process it became evident that a long-term contract was not in the best interests of the team in terms of where they’re at now and the evolution that has been undertaken over the past short while."
The board leader also expressed that he had held hopes for Langer to lead the tour to the subcontinent.
“We really had hoped Justin would continue on for Pakistan, for the tour of Sri Lanka, and then into the T20 World Cup, and disappointed he’s resigned," Hockley continued.
"That’s the key thing – the difference in relation to the term of the contract. Really difficult decisions, and we wanted to make sure we did a thorough evaluation of the needs moving forward and consulted widely on that.”
The opening Test of the series will take place on the 4th of March in Rawalpindi.
