Justin Langer has been officially appointed the new coach of Western Australia until the end of the 2015/16 summer following Lachlan Stevens' resignation last week.
The former Australian Test opener was widely tipped to be Stevens' replacement after the previous coach resigned from his position following a turbulent start to the new season.
Stevens had been in charge of the Perth Scorchers during their now infamous Champions League Twenty20 trip to South Africa, one which saw numerous players alleged to have been drinking heavily during a big night for Mitch Marsh's 21st birthday.
Along with that incident, the Warriors have struggled for form in both the Sheffield Shield and Ryobi Cup competitions, leading to Shaun Marsh being dropped to grade cricket and former skipper Marcus North stepping down as Adam Voges took up the role.
With a steadying hand needed, the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) has turned to the 41-year-old Langer to be the new Warriors and Scorchers coach, as he departs his current position as assistant coach with the Australian team.
WACA chief executive Christina Matthews says Langer has all the necessary ingredients to be a successful head coach, despite him never having occupied such a role before.
"Justin’s strong character, work ethic, and passion for WA cricket make him an outstanding candidate for this position with the Warriors and Scorchers and it is great to have him on board," Matthews said.
"Justin has served a lengthy apprenticeship under Tim Nielsen and Mickey Arthur with the Australian team, which has included series against the world’s best teams and ICC tournaments, and we believe this has prepared him well."
Langer thanked the WACA for giving him the opportunity to come home and coach.
"I am really thrilled to be taking up the position as Warriors and Scorchers head coach and feel that the energy for my work will be doubled now that I am back home around my family, my cricket friends and my personal friends," Langer said.
"I have two main objectives. The first is to bring cricket back to life in Western Australia, and the second is to help these boys become men on and off the cricket field."
"I was very fortunate to serve an apprenticeship with the Australian team and I can't wait to roll up my sleeves and get started on this new challenge at what promises to be an exciting time in WA cricket."
Langer's first game at the helm will be Saturday's Ryobi Cup clash between WA and South Australia.
First Posted 14 November, 2012 12:58PM AEST
