The Ashes: Ricky Ponting’s bold Justin Langer declaration on future of Australian coach after series triumph

The world’s most sought-after coaching commodity Ricky Ponting has declared “there is absolutely no way” Justin Langer can be sacked as Australian coach. Ponting joined fellow heavyweights and ex-teammates Steve Waugh, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist in throwing his influential support behind Langer’s bid to be given a contract extension by Cricket Australia. If international teams drew up a shortlist of preferred coaches, Ponting would be No.1, but he has not wanted to commit to anything more than IPL responsibilities due to a desire to be home for most of the year with his family. Cricket Australia are due to discuss Langer’s future as coach now the Ashes is finished, amid an overwhelming feeling that players want a change in voice, following a player revolt last year before the World Cup. Langer survived to oversee a Twenty20 World Cup and Ashes triumph this summer and Ponting launched an emotional defence of his close friend as he questioned what choice Cricket Australia could now make other than hand him a new deal. “Going back to Justin Langer, I can‘t see how he cannot be re-signed, simple as that,” Ponting said on Channel 7. “If he wants to go on in this role, there’s a bit speculation about whether they’ll split the roles and be a Test Match coach and a white ball coach. “On performance, there is absolutely no way that Justin Langer cannot continue on as head coach of this Australian cricket team.” Australian captain Pat Cummins said on Friday night that he wanted a decision from CA as soon as possible so all involved can have “clarity” on the situation. Langer’s contract expires midway through this year but the coach is keen to continue. Leading figures Cummins and Nick Hockley have declined to endorse Langer for an extension, citing a desire to leave the process until after the Ashes, which finished in a blaze of glory on Sunday night in Hobart. Cummins said his team was now chasing world domination as Australia prepares for challenging overseas tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka this year. “To be the best side in the world you have to win at home and more importantly, you need to be successful overseas,” said Cummins. “We haven’t played a lot in the last couple of years. Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India next year, England next year, it‘s all really foreign conditions that will be our challenge. “Hopefully this is just the beginning. I feel we‘re all in a really good place. There’s no imminent retirees, so hopefully we’re building something big the next few years.” The million dollar question now is will Langer be at the helm for the next chapter for Cummins’ team.