Pat Cummins has reportedly begun a campaign to heal the apparent divide in Australian cricket between current players and the nation’s greats.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Cummins met with Adam Gilchrist this week in what is expected to be the first of a number of meetings to cool any potential tensions.
According to the publication, current Cricket Australia players and staff believe there is an “agenda” against the team since Justin Langer was pushed out the door in February.
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A number of greats, including Gilchrist, the late great Shane Warne, and Matthew Hayden went in to bat for Langer when he was offered only a six-month contract renewal, which he turned down.
More recently, Australia’s failed T20 World Cup campaign has reopened the door to discussion about Langer’s messy departure.
Mark Waugh wrote for The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday: “Justin Langer may be gone, but his shadow still hangs over Australian cricket.”
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Cummins has now reportedly extended the olive branch to begin clearing the air with prominent Australian figures.
Multiple sources close to the topic told SMH that Cummins is likely to have a number of chats with other greats over the summer.
Meanwhile, Steve Smith defended coach Andrew McDonald on Friday as pressure on the new coach grew after the World Cup.
“I think it’s good that you can have a relationship with the coach and be able to speak honestly and openly about whatever you’re going through and selections and all that kind of stuff,” Smith said.
