Sydney: Australia will be the most professional and honest team in world cricket, coach Justin Langer said Saturday as the squad prepare for their first international tour following a damaging ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, earlier in the year.
Speaking to reporters in Brisbane as the team got ready for a five-match ODI series in England next month, Langer said they were aspiring to a culture of world-best professionalism, honesty and humility.
“It doesn’t matter how much money you have got or how many games or how many runs. If you’re not a good bloke – that’s what people remember. This is exactly what I have told the players,” Langer told reporters.
“Our mateship is really important. Sticking together is really important – that’s all of us in the Australian cricket team.”
The new head coach said he expected to ‘cop plenty’ from the English crowds and media but his team would look to block it out and concentrate on cricket. Langer has vowed to win back the respect of the Australian public but cautioned it would take time and be measured by player behaviour.
“If we behave well on and off the field, then hopefully we will earn some respect back and some trust back,” asserted Langer. “The Australian public obviously loves the Australian cricket team and there is more to it than just being good cricketers.”
Australia will kick off the England ODI series, June 13 at the Oval in London. The tour will also include a one-off Twenty20 match.
We should be so proud in Australia of what we have achieved in our past. We have got our way of doing things and we shouldn’t shy away from that
Justin Langer
