Pat Cummins urged to explain backseat role in Langer’s Australia resignation

Australia captain Pat Cummins, who led his side to a 4-0 win during the Ashes, has come in for criticism following Justin Langer’s resignation as head coach on Saturday

Michael Clarke has urged Australia Test captain Pat Cummins to ‘come out and make his opinion very clear’ on former coach Justin Langer.

Langer resigned as Australia’s head coach on Saturday, citing a lack of support from senior players, support staff and the board as the reason behind his decision.

Cummins has come in for serious criticism following Langer’s resignation, with former teammate Mitchell Johnson calling him ‘gutless ‘ for failing to ‘endorse an extension for Langer’.

“He had plenty of public opportunities to endorse an extension for Langer,” Johnson wrote in The West Australian. “So when he let it through to the keeper every time, it became pretty obvious he didn’t want it to happen.

“Cummins holds a lot of power and must have been central to what’s happened. He’s clearly had an agenda to get in a coach he wants.”

Clarke, who was Cummins’ first Test captain, has urged the quick to break his silence on Langer’s departure as ‘otherwise he will be blamed for this’.

“My advice to Patty is he has got to stand there,” Clarke told SEN. “He needs to tell the fans where he sits on this because everyone thinks it is Patty who made the decision.

“That accountability sits with him. He is trying to honour both parties and has done it very well. He is trying to look after Cricket Australia.

“I don’t like seeing Pat get smacked for this because I think he is in a lose-lose situation. He sits right in the middle. Patty needs to come out and make his opinion very clear.

“Cricket Australia have to allow him to be open and honest, otherwise he will be blamed for this. My question is how much involvement did Pat have? Did he want this change and [if so] why?

“Bring on accountability. When you lose, that’s on you as captain. If this is what Patty wants, respect to him but he’s going to have to take the hits as well.”