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

Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins has broken his silence four days after Justin Langer’s departure, saying there was never any issue with the coach’s “intensity” but the side needed a “calmer” and “more collaborative” approach.

At a Wednesday press conference, Cummins told media that the team and support staff appreciated the ex-coach’s style.

The captain added: “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 (CA) that that’s the direction we want to take the team.”

Cummins praised Langer for driving high standards, but said CA’s decision to move the coach on would not have 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 captain went on: “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.

To all past players, I want to say this: Just as you have always stuck up for your mates, I'm sticking up for mine.- Pat Cummins

“Justin has acknowledged that his style was intense. And it was. He has