Langer turns down England, India

JustinLanger - Cropped

Justin Langer has turned down the opportunity to coach both England and India to remain in charge of Western Australia's domestic cricket teams.

The former opening batsman, who played 105 Tests for Australia between 1993 and 2007, extended his contract with the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) on Tuesday until the end of the 2017-18 season.

Langer has been in charge of WA's Sheffield Shield and one-day teams since November 2012, as well as the Perth Scorchers in Australia's Big Bash League (BBL).

Reports in the British and Indian media had heavily linked Langer with their vacant coaching roles over the past month but the 44-year-old was not willing to relocate his family from Perth or spend long periods away from them.

"I am flattered to be associated with potential international coaching opportunities, but the timing isn't right for my family and I still feel there is much work to be done here in Western Australian and Australian cricket," Langer said.

"Having spent nearly 20 years on the road with the Australian team as a player and then coach, I respect what an enormous commitment it is to be away from your family for almost 12 months of the year.

"There is no doubt I have aspirations to coach internationally but that will depend upon timing and opportunity in the future.

"I look forward to continuing my work at the WACA and I am excited by this challenge."

During his tenure in charge of WA and the Scorchers, Langer has won two BBL titles and a domestic one-day championship, while he has led his team to successive Sheffield Shield finals only to lose.

"WA cricket is extremely fortunate to have someone of Justin's talent, character, dedication and passion to help guide our players," WACA CEO Christina Matthews said.

"Justin came into his position at a time of great challenges for the WACA, but his mantra of 'character over cover drives' and his devotion to producing great people, not just great cricketers, has turned our men's program into a model for Australian cricket."

Langer is highly regarded throughout cricket coaching circles with Australia's current coach Darren Lehmann having previously claimed the Western Australian could be his successor.

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