Marsh endorses rise of coach Langer

Carrying on from his days as a fighting opening batsman and a martial arts black-belt, Justin Langer didn't pull any punches when he first sat down with Mitchell Marsh as Western Australia's new head coach almost four years ago.

Langer was appointed coach of WA and the Perth Scorchers in November 2012, and he didn't waste any time in delivering a clear message to his star allrounder.

"When 'JL' first came on board he challenged me with my fitness and that was probably the one thing that was letting me down as a young kid," Marsh told cricket.com.au.

"I've got myself to a point now where I'm very fit and my body, touch wood, is holding up to the rigours of international cricket.

Quick Single: Downpours, dust-ups and Dizzy's double: Pt2

"I've certainly got him to thank for that.

"The biggest thing about JL is, he cares for his players a lot – he'll do absolutely anything for you.

"He's worked tirelessly, thrown me thousands of balls at training trying to get things right, and if it's not he won't stop until it is, which is what you want in a coach."

Langer will get to work alongside Marsh in June when they both head to the Caribbean for Australia's triangular One-Day International series against the West Indies and South Africa.

While Marsh is quickly becoming a stalwart of the Australia setup, it will be Langer's first time at the helm as head coach, filling in for full-time mentor Darren Lehmann, who takes a break after a hectic 18-month international schedule.

Quick Single: Loyalty to money in modern game: Waugh

But Langer is no stranger to the green and gold.

Once he completed his stellar 105-Test career as one half of Australia's most prolific opening partnership, alongside Matthew Hayden, he returned to touring life under coach Mickey Arthur as national batting coach before taking up his new post in Perth.

Greeted with an inexperienced squad in a state system that had not made a Sheffield Shield final in 13 years, Langer's first mission was to teach the group the "values of hard work and attitude", according to Marsh.

"We had such a young squad when he first came on board," he said.

"When you've got someone like JL who comes in, he was quite hard at the start, which he had to be, and we've seen the rewards from that.

"Quite a few players have come on under him (to represent Australia).

"He's very consistent in his values, which is great as a leader and as a coach.

"I'm sure he'll bring those some values and the same leadership to the Australian cricket team."

Quick Single: Day-night Test future clouded as Proteas stall

In his first season, Langer guided the Scorchers to their maiden KFC Big Bash League title and Western Australia's first piece of silverware in 11 years.

Since then WA has won the Matador One-Day Cup in 2014-15, the BBL again in 2015 (after featuring in the first four finals) and played in two unsuccessful Shield finals.

Langer signed a two-year extension with the WACA in May last year, taking his reign right through to the end of the 2017-18 season.

The success in the west has been further recognised by the inclusion of WA bowling coach Adam Griffith as the bowling coach on the ODI tour to the Caribbean.

Mentoring perhaps the best fast-bowling battery in the country, Griffith, 38, played 50 first-class matches in his eight-year career, and was a member of Tasmania's inaugural Sheffield Shield-winning side in 2005-06.

Quick Single: ODI GOAT: Bond v Ambrose

He retired in 2010 to take up the post as bowling coach in WA and has helped develop the talents of Marsh, Joel Paris, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Andrew Tye and Jason Behrendorff.

"First things first he's a great bloke," Marsh said of Griffith. "He had a great first-class career for Tasmania and over in England (where he played for Leicestershire).

"He brings a wealth of knowledge to the young guys.

"He keeps things pretty simple as a bowling coach which is what you want at international level because most of the bowlers know what they're doing, it's just about creating ideas and plans to certain players.

"I'm sure he's going to excel at that so I look forward to working with 'Griffo'."