Langer to coach Australia against Sri Lanka

Cricket Australia (CA) on Friday said former opener Justin Langer will coach Australia for its three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) against Sri Lanka in February next year. The appointment was agreed upon during a meeting of CA’s Board of Directors here on Thursday, according to a CA release. Langer, who has twice coached the Perth Scorchers to Big Bash League success in 2014 and 2015, will step in for head coach Darren Lehmann, who will be on duty with the Test squad on their tour of India as it prepares for the opening match of a four-match series. Langer previously acted as an interim head coach in June, linking up with the One-Day International squad in the Caribbean when Lehmann took a break. He guided the team to success in a tri-series tournament against the West Indies and South Africa. The three T20Is Langer will oversee will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (February 17), Kardinia Park in Geelong (February 19) and the Adelaide Oval (February 22). Commenting on Justin Langer’s appointment, Cricket Australia Executive General Manager (Team Performance) Pat Howard said: “We are delighted that Justin has agreed to undertake the role of acting Head Coach for the Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka. We would also like to thank WACA for their support in releasing Justin. “He brings a wealth of experience as both a player and a coach and his record in helping the Perth Scorchers to a sustained level of success in the KFC Big Bash League means he fits the bill in all ways.” Langer said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of working with the national side in the Caribbean earlier this year and so I am excited and very grateful to get this opportunity to do it again, this time with the Twenty20 International squad against Sri Lanka.”