Langer ‘brought humility back’ to Australian team: Khawaja

Test opener Usman Khawaja believes departing coach Justin Langer's legacy in the role will be the humility he restored to the national men's team.

Khawaja was today named as part of Australia's 18-man squad for the upcoming three-Test tour of Pakistan, which will be the first in the format without Langer, who resigned on Saturday morning following months of speculation about his future in the role.

The 35-year-old has a longstanding relationship with Langer – who was Australia's batting coach when he debuted in the 2010-11 Ashes – which he has always maintained was an amicable one despite suggestions the pair didn't get along after 'The Test' documentary showed the pair clashing over several issues.

Reflecting on Langer's tenure today, Khawaja called out ‘humility’ as the key trait he associated with the 105-Test veteran, who he feels was responsible for bringing back to an Australian group that had been heavily criticised for its aggressive and at-times unsporting approach in the lead-up to, and during, the sandpaper affair in Cape Town in 2018.

"One thing that I do love 'JL' (Langer) for, what I feel like he brought back was humility – I felt like he brought humility back into the Australian cricket team," he said. "It's all about legacy and for me that's one thing he left behind, because I know what we were playing like before he was coach, and I know what we were playing like after he was coach.

"I haven't said that to him yet, but I'm saying it to you guys (the media)."

Khawaja came out in support of the beleaguered Langer as far back as last August via his own YouTube channel, and the Queensland skipper clarified his position today when asked about his relationship with the 50-year-old, whose intense coaching style had reportedly rubbed some players the wrong way during his tenure.

"I supported Langer the person," he said. "I felt like people were attacking himself, Justin Langer, and I felt that was a bit unfair; you've got to separate the coach from the person. And that's probably where I was coming from."

On the current situation, Khawaja added: "I've spoken to him … I feel for the man himself, because I've got along with Justin for a long time.

"I love him as a bloke, he's a legend, and on a personal level, whether I get dropped, or whether he's not the Australian coach, we have that relationship.

"It's hard on a human level for 'JL' (Langer) and I felt for him and his family at the time, as I would anyone in that situation, but other than that, I didn't really know what was going on – I wasn't part of the process – so for me, it was just business as usual."

Khawaja also noted he had seen positive changes in Langer the coach from the left-hander's previous stint in the Australia set-up, which ended in the UK in 2019, to his return this summer.

"JL is one guy if you give him feedback, he normally pushes back to start but always takes it in at some stage," he said. "He was always trying to improve as a coach, as a person, and trying to do his best.

"I could see, definitely, improvements in places where he probably was a bit weaker with his coaching and it's like all of us, we're all trying to improve … and I could definitely see that the effort being put in.

"I still always got along with him."

Khawaja is set to open the batting for Queensland tomorrow against New South Wales in the Marsh Sheffield Shield on what looks set to be a particularly green Gabba wicket. 

The incumbent Test opener, who replaced Marcus Harris in the final Vodafone Ashes Test in Hobart last month, will fill in at the top of the Bulls order for Joe Burns, who is out with COVID-19.

Right-hander Sam Truloff, who has played 10 first-class matches and has been in irresistible form for Wests in Queensland Premier Cricket, will slot into the middle order.

Qantas Tour of Pakistan 2022

March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi

March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi

March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore

March 29:First ODI, Rawalpindi

March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi

April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi

April 5: Only T20I, Rawalpindi

All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports