Justin Langer, coach of Australia speaks to the media during a press conference in Melbourne
With a big burden on his shoulders to carry the weight of Australian Cricket for next four years, newly-appointed head coach Justin Langer believes his team’s greatest challenge will be against India in three years from now on. It will be a big task for the 47-year old Langer to settle the Australian cricket which is still suffering from the after-effects of the ball-tampering scandal that shook the world of cricket, Langer faces a daunting task of restoring the pride of the baggy green cap.
On Thursday, Langer was appointed as the head coach of Australian cricket team for all three formats of the game. His tenure will start on May 22 for a four-year term that includes two Ashes series, a World Cup and World T20 tournament.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Langer said that the team needs to earn back the respect from the fans and a Test series win on Indian soil in 2021 will certainly be the ‘ultimate’ goal for the Australian cricket team. He believes Australian team required if the outfit he now oversees wants to lay claim to ‘greatness'.
"We've got a World Cup, a T20 World Cup, a couple of Ashes (in 2019 and 2021-22) -- I get nervous when I start thinking about it. There are some big tournaments coming up," Langer told a media conference.
"But ultimately, if I fast forward it, the Indian Test tour in about three or four years' time, to me that's the ultimate.
"We will judge ourselves on whether we're a great cricket team if we beat India in India," he added.
Recalling the "Mount Everest" moment of his playing career, Langer picked the 2004 tour of India when Australia thumped Sourav Ganguly's team 2-1.
"I look back on my career, the Mount Everest moment was 2004 when we finally beat India in India. We've got to get better at playing overseas, we become a great team if we win overseas and at home so that will be something for us to aspire to," Langer added.
Langer succeeded his former teammate Darren Lehmann, who stepped down from his post following the infamous ball-tampering saga that rocked Australian cricket, including the one-year bans on two of their best batsmen in former skipper Steve Smith and David Warner.
The former Test opener's maiden assignment with the Kangaroos will be next month's England tour that features five ODIs and a T20 international.