Former Australia cricket team head coach Justin Langer. Photo: Photosport
Captain Pat Cummins says there are "no cowards" in the Australia cricket team and that players have not been distracted by their former head coach's inflammatory comments.
Justin Langer reopened old wounds over his acrimonious resignation in a podcast interview released last week, lashing out at unnamed "cowards" in the team who complained in the media about his intense coaching style last year.
He later denied reports of a rift with Cummins and the team, saying he was in regular contact with the majority of them.
"There's no cowards in an Australian cricket team, not ever," Cummins said ahead of their two-test series against West Indies, which begins in Perth today.
"I think it's disappointing sometimes the focus gets drawn to off-field issues but it hasn't really affected our team. I think there's no ill will to what he was trying to do and he clarified (his comments) afterwards.
"I think he had a think about it and clarified it, so thank him for that. But we're really proud of the last 12 months, how we've fronted up, the way we've played, the way we've conducted ourselves. Players can certainly hold their heads high."
Cummins said that it would be good to see Langer again during the test, with the former coach set to be part of the Seven Network's commentary team.
Australia's cricket team captain Pat Cummins. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Cummins also named the line-up to face West Indies, with Scott Boland and Marcus Harris missing out while Cameron Green was picked to play his first test in his home city.
"You could probably have picked the side 12 months ago, I feel like we are in a good spot," Cummins said.
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite said his batters might have to show plenty of patience in Perth, where conditions were expected to favour the hosts' fast bowlers.
"We want to bat for 100 overs, the main focus is to have discipline," Brathwaite said.
"We have batsmen that can get on with it, so it's not to stop them. It's for them to do the processes throughout the entire innings. It's not to change anyone's game.
"Batting time is always great to have in test cricket ... to believe they can do it. We know Australia are a superior team. We have to play 10 days of hard cricket, that's our main focus."
-Reuters