Langer saga: Why blame players; they’re not decision-makers, says ACA CEO #Langer #saga

Melbourne, Feb 7 : Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) CEO Todd Greenberg has defended the senior mens team players who are being blamed for head coach Justin Langers resignation, saying they are not decision-makers.

It is widely believed that the opinion of the senior players was a major reason behind Langer quitting his job with five months still left in his tenure.

"Ive heard a few comments about player power, I certainly dont subscribe to that theory.Its not a new phenomenon for players to be consulted about the big issues around the leadership of a cricket team.

So I dont think that changes," said Greenberg on SENs Dwaynes World show on Monday."Ive said consistently in my short time in cricket that players should have a voice and should be consulted, and we have been consulted on a number of different issues in cricket which I think is good and healthy.

But ultimately, the players also are conscious theyre a part of a much bigger system, we understand that, were not going to overreach, were not at that decision-making table when they make these decisions and nor should we be."Greenberg admitted that the players found themselves in a tough position but described Test captain Pat Cummins as a man of high integrity.Several former cricketers, especially Mitchell Johnson, had slammed Cummins for not being clear on his decision on Langers future.

In the past few days, Cummins had publicly avoided saying whether he wanted to see Langer continuing as coach."I think both Pat and the players were put in pretty tricky positions where theyve got obligations to the coach who they think fondly of, but also theyve got obligations to their employer, which is Cricket Australia.

One thing Ive learnt dealing with Pat Cummins over the last 12 months is theres no one with a higher level of integrity."Hes got firms views on how he sees the future of Australian cricket working and his role in that leadership.

So, I think the players have handled themselves very well throughout this situation.Theres been challenges, and there always are challenges when youre confronting these types of situations, theres never an easy answer.

"Greenberg further acknowledged that if Langer had the support of his players, the former Australia opener could have been at the job."Look that could be the case (that Langer would be the coach if the players had endorsed him), but equally if the players said that and Cricket Australia decided to go in a different direction, theyd be in an equally difficult position today as well.I think, as I said, they were put in a difficult position where I dont think there was an answer either way."nr/akm #Langer #saga #theyre #makers #Cricket #BCCI #ICC #IPL #Sports.