Usman Khawaja, who clashed with Justin Langer during Australia’s 2018 UAE tour, has backed the embattled coach to stay on and encouraged the players to stop criticising him.
Since last week, the Australian coach’s status has been heavily questioned due to player complaints regarding his intensity and mood swings.
Instead of venting their frustrations in the media, Khawaja, who had a furious exchange with Langer in 2018, backed the coach.
“How does JL feel?” Khawaja asked on YouTube. “He probably feels stabbed in the back by the team, and that’s what it looks like. That’s why it’s frustrating. It’s a very awful look. The organisation must resolve this issue quickly.”
“It’s “Let’s put it in context. It is not always the coach’s fault. The guys aren’t performing, so the players must step up.
“The boys have to do better, and it’s not just one person,” he added.
Cricket Australia held emergency talks between senior officials and cricketers to attempt and establish a roadmap ahead of the T20 World Cup and Ashes.
It’s believed that everyone agreed to work together until Langer’s contract expires next year.
Despite being pulled from the team due to his conflict with Langer, Khawaja stood behind his coach.
And Khawaja said Mohammed Shami is the most underappreciated bowler in the world.
“In my opinion, the Indian bowling lineup is the greatest in the world right now. Yes, there are great bowlers everywhere, but that lineup is incredible.”
Shamirah: “Mohammed Shami, in my opinion, is the world’s most underappreciated bowler.
And he has that seam in a wonderful place, but no one really thinks about him…he is such a big part of that bowling lineup and people forget about him,” Khawaja added.