Captain Pat Cummins has said Australian cricket teams contain no cowards, in response to claims by former men’s national coach Justin Langer.
Langer, 52, who resigned from his post in February, previously suggested ‘unnamed sources’ complained to the media about his management style were “cowards”.
Cummins said: “There are no cowards in an Australian cricket team, ever.”
Since making the comments, Langer has denied any rifts with the players.
The former Test opener later said the players he worked with were ‘like my little brothers’.
Fast bowler Cummins, who welcomed Langer’s clarification, added: “I think it’s sometimes disappointing that the focus is on off-court issues, but it hasn’t really affected our team.
“I think that he [Langer] I thought about it and clarified it, so thank you for that.”
Langer walked away from the furor created by his “cowardly” comment, writing in a column for the Western Australian newspaper that “this lame dialogue of me fighting with the current team needs to stop”.
He added, “They are my friends. They are like my younger brothers. Anything to the contrary is wrong.”
Cummins, 29, was speaking in Perth ahead of Australia’s first Test against West Indies in a two-game series.
He said he was “looking forward to seeing” Langer, who is expected to work as a pundit for the local broadcaster.
Cummins was named Australia captain in November 2021 and worked alongside Langer until he resigned as head coach in February.
Langer ended his four-year term after only being offered a six-month contract extension, despite winning the T20 World Cup and beating England 4-0 in the Ashes.
