MELBOURNE: Austra­lia’s limited-overs captain Aaron Finch heaped praise on head coach Justin Langer on Friday, saying he had done a “fantastic job” amid an ongoing impasse over his contract extension.

Langer’s contract has been a topic of heated discussion after Cricket Australia put off talks until after the Ashes, where he led the team to an emphatic 4-0 series win over England. Langer’s current deal expires in June.

“I think he’s done a fantastic job... Whatever happens, the Cricket Australia side of things, that’s out of our control as players,” Finch said at the 2022 Twenty20 World Cup launch.

“His contract is up so no doubt there’ll be some talk there and I know Patty [Cummins] and myself might be in contact or might be contacted about that... But like I said, he’s done an unbelievable job.”

Finch and Langer

combined to guide Australia to the T20 World Cup title in India last year, with the opener saying that Langer had helped create a good atmosphere in the squad.

“To win the World Cup when no one really gave us a chance and then dominate the Ashes 4-0, was super impressive,” added Finch.

Australia host Sri Lanka in a five-match T20 series starting Feb 11.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2022