InMobi

Justin Langer's timeline as Australia's coach

Take a look back on the highs and lows during Justin Langer's tenure as head coach of Australia's men's cricket team

MAY 2018: Appointed as Australia's coach for all formats after the ball-tampering scandal. Takes over after Darren Lehmann quits before the final Test in South Africa.

JUNE 2018: Embarks on a horror white-ball tour of England, as Australia suffer a 5-0 flogging in the ODI series as well as a 28-run loss in the only Twenty20. The tour is Australia's first without suspended duo Steve Smith and David Warner, with Tim Paine in charge.

OCTOBER 2018: Australia put up a titanic fight befitting Langer's character in their first Test with him in charge against Pakistan. Tim Paine and Usman Khawaja's staunch resistance in a drawn match in Dubai is followed by a loss in the following Test in Abu Dhabi.

JANUARY 2019: Australia suffer their first-ever home Test series defeat to a team from Asia, with a 2-1 loss to India. Langer then gets his maiden Test series win as coach, beating Sri Lanka in a two-match series.

JUNE 2019: Australia go from a battling one-day outfit to World Cup semi-finalists, boosted by the returns of Steve Smith and David Warner. Top of the table with one match to go, Australia lose their last two fixtures to bow out in the semi-finals.

AUGUST 2019: Australia retain the Ashes in England for the first time since Justin Langer's playing days in 2001, drawing the series 2-2.

MARCH 2020: The Test documentary shows him in a heated discussion with Usman Khawaja during the 2018 series against Pakistan, while the batter later told the coach players were "walking on eggshells" during the home loss to India. While Khawaja and Langer maintain their relationship is a strong one, it's the first sign that Langer's combative style is creating some friction in the dressing-room.

MAY 2020: Australia go back to No.1 in the world in Test cricket after a rampant home summer against Pakistan and New Zealand. They also claim top spot in Twenty20 rankings for the first time.

JANUARY 2021: Australia drop another home Test series against India, but this time with all their best players available and after rolling India for just 36 in the first Test in Adelaide. Following the series, media reports suggest growing discontent amongst players at Langer's methods.

NOVEMBER 2021: Australia win the Twenty20 World Cup for the first time, with a big win over New Zealand in the final. Langer also reveals he has taken more of a back seat and handed more responsibility to assistants, while Josh Hazlewood says it has been "player-driven" tournament. A week later, Tim Paine stands down as captain after a lewd-texting scandal. Langer stands by him in support.

DECEMBER 2021: Australia retain the Ashes inside record time at home, before only a last-over draw in Sydney denies them a whitewash of England. The series win makes Langer's Test strike rate of 55.5 per cent second only to John Buchanan in terms of Australia coaches. But captain Pat Cummins refuses to buy into the public debate on whether Langer should keep his job as several former teammates back the embattled coach.

FEBRUARY 2022: Cricket Australia's board sit through a marathon seven-hour meeting, but only resolve to enter into confidential talks with Langer over his future. Langer resigns the following morning.


Cricket Australia Live App

Your No.1 destination for live cricket scores, match coverage, breaking news, video highlights and in‑depth feature stories.