3 minute read

Justin Langer has made it clear he wants to stay on as Australia's cricket coach for all three formats, as the Test team nears Ashes success in Melbourne.

Justin Langer has confirmed he wants to stay on as Australia cricket coach for all three formats, putting off any suggestions of splitting the role.

Langer had found himself under pressure to keep his job amid player feedback earlier this year, prompting high-powered meetings amid concerns he was at times too intense.

However, he has since made it a point to relinquish control in some areas, handing more responsibility to his support staff.

Australia's maiden Twenty20 World Cup win was expected to help his cause when cricket officials meet after the Ashes to discuss whether to renew his contract next year.

Retaining the Ashes at home would almost cement that -- after a period in which Australia recovered from the 2018 ball-tampering scandal to retain the urn in England but lost two home series to India.

There had been some suggestion that the T20 triumph and home Ashes success would be the perfect way for Langer to go out on his terms.

But just days before the Boxing Day Test, in which Australia can take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Ashes, he said his passion for the job had not changed.

"I've never thought differently to be honest," Langer said on Thursday.

"I've been consistent with what I've said for the last four years. I love my job.

"And the boys are playing well. No doubt about it.

"It's a great team to be involved in. So nothing's changed from my point of view."

When asked whether he wanted to keep charge of Tests, ODIs and T20s, Langer responded: "Yes".

Australia have a busy two years ahead in all formats, with their T20 World Cup defence on home soil starting next October.

A one-day World Cup is booked for India at the end of 2023.

There are also significant Test series ahead.

Australia have a spate of tours to Asia, where they have not won a series in 10 years.

Included in that is one to India next summer, which Langer has long identified as a place he desperately wants to win as a coach.

Australia are also set to return to South Africa in 2023 for the first time since the ball-tampering scandal, while the Ashes will be played in England that year.

Plus the Test championship final, which Marnus Labuschagne identified as a motivation for trying to whitewash England this summer after narrowly missing out earlier this year.

"We were envious of New Zealand and India that we weren't there," Langer said.

"We would have loved to have been. It was a goal which we didn't achieve unfortunately."