Justin Langer to coach London Spirit in The Hundred, replacing Trevor Bayliss

Justin Langer will face another tough challenge in England amid his globe-trotting cricketing life, asked to succeed where fellow Australians Shane Warne and Trevor Bayliss both failed as coaches of the London Spirit franchise in The Hundred.

The former Test opener has been in high demand since he was sacked after a successful four-year reign as Australia coach in 2022, and his latest role takes him back to Lord’s where he played as Middlesex overseas player between 1998 and 2000 and managed them. in its final season.

The 54-year-old, who previously coached the Perth Scorchers in the BBL, is also head coach of Indian Premier League franchise Lucknow Super Giants, and had been mooted at one point last year as a possible coach of the Indian national team.

His appointment as London Spirit coach comes a month after Bayliss left the post after three seasons.

Although the Spirit reached the play-offs and finished third in his first year, Bayliss then managed to oversee just three wins from 11 matches in his next two campaigns in England’s hundred-ball-per-innings competition.

A two-time Ashes-winning coach and mentor to Australia’s T20 World Cup-winning team in 2021, Langer will be tasked with bringing success to the well-supported Lord’s franchise, who also failed to fire when the late great Warne led them in the inaugural event in 2021.

While the men’s team has consistently struggled, the Spirit women’s team lifted their trophy last year, putting even more pressure on Langer to succeed.

“I’m thrilled to be appointed to this role at London Spirit and can’t wait to experience The Hundred,” said Langer.

“I look forward to participating in the tournament later this year and working with such a talented group of players and coaches.”

London Spirit managing director Fraser Stewart added that Langer had “excelled in the interview process, which took place before Christmas, and established himself in what was an extremely competitive field”.

The IPL season in India for Langer will begin in March and last for two months until mid-May, while The Hundred will take place in July and August.

PAA