Justin Langer Rules Out England Test Job as ECB Appoints Stephen Fleming
Langer’s joke that his family and mates would have 'divorced' him if he coached England illustrates the Ashes-era taboo that kept him from considering the role.
Overview
- The England and Wales Cricket Board has appointed Stephen Fleming as England’s Test head coach, ending speculation about several potential candidates.
- Justin Langer publicly and repeatedly ruled himself out of the job, saying he could not face the personal cost and joking that his wife, daughters and close friends would have 'divorced' him.
- Langer said he could not imagine singing the England anthem and praised Fleming as calm and tactically strong after Fleming left Chennai Super Kings.
- Fleming’s hiring follows a long stint with Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, where he is widely credited with sustained success and made him an immediately available candidate.
- Commentators say Langer’s remarks underline how deep Ashes loyalties still shape cricket careers and that Fleming’s appointment offers England a steadier, experienced coaching option going into their current Test programme.