Justin Langer responds to England Test coach links after Brendon McCullum’s departure

The former Australia coach has been linked with the vacant role after Brendon McCullum was relieved of his Test duties earlier this month following a run of seven defeats in nine matches.

McCullum remains in charge of England’s white-ball teams, with the ECB once again opting to split the coaching roles.

Andy Flower had emerged as an early frontrunner but is understood to have ruled himself out because of his existing commitments with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL and London Spirit in The Hundred.

Langer has also been mentioned as a possible candidate, despite reports suggesting he is not among the ECB’s current shortlist.

Asked whether he had been approached about the role, Langer said: “I haven’t, no. I haven’t heard from anyone. It’s all paper talk, all hypothetical.”

While there has been no contact, the 55-year-old made it clear that coaching one of cricket’s biggest nations would naturally appeal.

“I’m passionate about the game of cricket, but particularly Test cricket.

“I see now with franchise cricket, it’s awesome, but we’ve got to have Test cricket. It must keep thriving for the health of the game – and so that’s why I say about the three big countries [Australia, India, England] and why it’s important they keep going strong.

“When it comes to coaching, it’s a career and everyone looks at all opportunities.”

Langer also shared his thoughts on England’s decision to separate the Test and white-ball coaching positions, saying success depends on the relationship between those in charge.

“My personal view has always been that if you’re the head coach of Australia you should oversee all of it,” he said.

“It can work [split jobs] if you have the right people. They’ve got to get on very well, be on the same page and have the same thinking. And alongside the director of cricket [Rob Key], they’ve got to fit like a glove.

“We’ve seen that with Andy Flower and Ashley Giles [for England], and McCullum and Matthew Mott to a degree.

“It’s complicated, with T20 cricket, white-ball cricket. I would say there will be some teething issues for Baz and whoever he does it with.

“If they work well together, it could work, but there haven’t been too many examples where it has.”

Langer enjoyed a successful spell in charge of Australia, winning 15 of his 31 Test matches as coach. His tenure included retaining the Ashes with a 2-2 draw in England in 2019 before guiding Australia to a dominant 4-0 series victory over England in the 2021-22 Ashes.

He stepped down in February 2022, shortly after that Ashes triumph, following reports of disagreements with senior members of the Australian dressing room.