Pat Cummins has been spotted out for lunch at Bronte Beach after Justin Langer lobbed explosive accusations at the “cowards” who leaked their discontent to the media.
Cummins, who had taken over as Test skipper last summer and has since become the one-day captain, was seen as one of the catalysts for Langer’s exit from the team, having refused to publicly back the former Test opener.
Watch BBLI12. Every game live and ad-break free during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
At the time, Cummins artfully dodged questions, before Langer refused to sign an almost offensive six-month contract offer from Cricket Australia, which would have taken him to the end of the T20 World Cup in Australia.
Cummins said in a statement following Langer’s departure: “To be better players for Australia, from this solid foundation, we need a new style of coaching and skill set.”
It sparked intense backlash including Mitchell Johnson branding Cummins “gutless” amid a storm of criticism in February.
However, earlier this week, Langer spoke about his unceremonious exit with the BackChat Podcast, lashing “cowards” who leaked against him and taking special aim at Cummins.
“I spoke to Pat Cummins. He said to me about five times, ‘This might be brutally honest.’ I said, ‘Pat, there is nothing brutal about your feedback. What is brutal is I’m hearing it behind my back through the media or through sources.’ No one’s telling me. Tell me,” he said.
Langer also stated he had presented to the Cricket Australia board three times during his tenure and alluded to a lack of feedback within the sport.
Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley denied the accusations.
Cummins looked tired and stressed in the image taken at lunch but outside of the Langer drama there is plenty going on in his life.
There are extra responsibilities having just taken over the captaincy of the ODI team, while his daughter has also just had her first birthday.
Cummins also announced earlier this month he would not play in the 2023 Indian Premier League ahead of a stacked international schedule which includes up to 15 Test matches amid a tour to India, an Ashes and then an ODI World Cup.
Add in the Langer drama and there’s no wonder he’s looking drained.
The first Test of the summer also starts on November 30 against the West Indies.
