Pat Cummins says Australia need ‘more collaborative’ coach than Justin Langer

Australia captain Pat Cummins has broken his silence following Justin Langer’s resignation, saying there was never any issue with the coach’s “intensity” but the side needed a “more collaborative” approach.

At a Wednesday press conference, Cummins told reporters that the team and support staff appreciated the ex-coach’s style but that they were looking to adopt a "calmer" approach.

He said: “I think the players benefit from a more collaborative approach. A big theme this summer was to be more calm, more composed. That’s been the feedback from the players, staff and Cricket Australia that that’s the direction we want to take the team.”

Cummins praised Langer for driving high standards, but said CA’s decision to accept Langer's resignation did not come as a “big surprise” to him after two years of evaluation.

In a statement issued an hour before he was due to address reporters on Langer’s exit, Cummins said he was “sticking up for my mates”.

The 28-year-old said: “There has been much public comment since Justin Langer’s resignation as the coach of the Australian cricket team. For good reason, I haven’t made public comment before today.

“To speak about a decision, which was yet to be made and which is for Cricket Australia to make, would have put Cricket Australia and the team in an impossible position.

“I’d never do that. I believe in respecting the sanctity of the change room and proper process.

“Now that a decision has been made by Justin to resign and given his own public comments and others by Cricket Australia, I can provide some clarity.

“Justin has acknowledged that his style was intense. And it was. He has apologised to players and staff for his intensity. I think the apology was unnecessary. Because the players