CA quashes coach appointment claims

Cricket Australia insists no appointment has been made to the vacant national men's head coaching position despite reports that former Test opener Justin Langer has won the job.

Australia are on the hunt for a new coach following Darren Lehmann's resignation last month in the wake of the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal, with Langer presumed to be a leading contender.

The West Australian reported on Wednesday that the Cricket Australia board will ratify Langer's appointment on Friday but a spokesperson for the organisation stressed that is not the case.

“The process to be undertaken for the appointment of a new Australian men’s head coach will be discussed and agreed at the CA board meeting this Friday," a CA spokesperson said in a statement.

"No appointment has been made, and nor will any candidate be put to the board for ratification on Friday. 

"We expect to have a clearer understanding of the approach and appointment timelines following this meeting."

Langer has coached Western Australia and the Perth Scorchers since 2012 and has long been considered the natural successor to Lehmann.

The 105-Test veteran stood in as head coach for Australia's ODI tour of the West Indies in 2016 when Lehmann took some time off.

Speaking to PerthNow earlier this month, Langer said he'd consider putting his hand up for the job but admitted its relentless nature could be a deterrent. 

"If the opportunity came up, there would be a lot to consider," said the 47-year-old. 

"The complication is that I love my job. I love my job here. I love being on the board of the West Coast Eagles (football team). I love being with my family all the time.

"(Coaching Australia) would mean (travelling) 11 months of the year.

"I love working at WACA, and working with the Scorchers. My family is all in Perth. I am a Perth boy and I love being home. So that’s why it is complicated.

"I’m also involved with five or six charities here in WA. And walking away from all that is not that easy to do."

That load could be lightened however should CA opt split the Test and limited-overs coaching roles, an idea that has gained traction given the increasingly divergent demands of the different formats. 

Langer's former captain Ricky Ponting has already expressed his interest in coaching the national T20 side, while former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie has previously discussed a desire to coach at the highest level. 

Gillespie holds roles with KFC Big Bash side Adelaide Strikers, leading them to last summer's title, as well as English county outfit Sussex. Ponting is in his first season at the helm of Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Daredevils.

Former India mentor and Test great Gary Kirsten recently endorsed Langer and Ponting, tipping more and more nations are likely to split their head coaching duties.

"I know 'JL' (Langer) well and he's a great coach," Kirsten told Omnisport. "He has all the right credentials, and they also have Ricky Ponting who has done a fantastic job with their T20 team.

"There is no shortage of quality coaches around the world, but both JL and Ricky understand the Australian way better than most."

"I think international coaching is moving to a space where it is going to become more format based … the idea of coaching an international team across all formats is becoming more unlikely for young coaches, because it’s just not sustainable, especially with a young family.

"Countries are starting to split coaching roles and I think it will happen more and more. 

"Australia dabbled with it and we are even getting counties now signing up Twenty20 coaches."