After a triumphant and unbeaten summern, Australia head coach Justin Langer will be taking a short break when his side travels to India for the upcoming three-match ODI series. In his absence, senior assistant Andrew McDonald will be taking over the top job for the three ODIs. This will be the former all-rounder’s first assignment as head coach of the national side.
“He’s an excellent coach, we’ve got other excellent coaches to back him up,” Sydney Morning Herald quoted Langer as saying.
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“I’m so confident in our coaching staff now with the cricket side of things. A lot of the time now I think about the cricket 30 per cent of the time, the rest of the time all the other stuff that goes with it: the bigger picture, the cultural stuff,” Langer added.
Under Langer’s watch, Australia smashed Pakistan 2-0 and then went on to New Zealand 3-0 in the two Test series. However, they will be challenged in India by the hosts, who are currently involved in a limited overs series.
“Whenever you play India, it’s a tough series because they’re a very tough opposition. They’ve got great batters and bowlers, so it’s going to be a challenge,” Marnus Labuschagne, who was the star with the bat in the Test series, was as quoted as saying by Cricket Australia website. “But as a player you always want to test yourself against the best opposition in the toughest conditions, and there’s nothing tougher than India in India.”
{{/usCountry}}“Whenever you play India, it’s a tough series because they’re a very tough opposition. They’ve got great batters and bowlers, so it’s going to be a challenge,” Marnus Labuschagne, who was the star with the bat in the Test series, was as quoted as saying by Cricket Australia website. “But as a player you always want to test yourself against the best opposition in the toughest conditions, and there’s nothing tougher than India in India.”
{{/usCountry}}He has already toured India with an Australia A side in 2018 and said that he would pick brains of his teammates who have travelled to that country for IPL and many international tours. “If I get an opportunity that’d be great. Luckily I have a wealth of experience there with Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steve Smith … to continue to learn from those guys is great.” Labuschagne further added.
(With agency inputs)