Australia Test captain Tim Paine has strongly defended Justin Langer, following recent criticism of his coaching style and relationship with players. There has been speculation about player unrest in the Australian dressing room since the shock 2-1 home series defeat to India in January.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Australia will play a historic Test match against Afghanistan in Hobart in November
• Whole idea of it being a review around Justin, or players is just common practice, says Paine
• Tim Paine is not looking too far into England’s heavy defeat to New Zealand

Australian Test skipper Tim Paine has strongly defended coach Justin Langer, following recent criticism of his coaching style.

There has been speculation about player unrest in the Australian dressing room since the shock 2-1 home series defeat against India in January.

“We had a team review at the end of the Indian series which is pretty common practice in professional sports,” Paine told reporters from Brisbane.

“From Justin to our last player, everyone got feedback.We’ll be going to the Gold Coast in a couple of weeks time to delve a little bit deeper into that.

“The whole idea of it being a review around Justin, or a review around players and staff is just common practice. JL’s done a bloody good job in a really difficult time. We all feel now as a team we want to evolve and improve and JL’s a part of that. It’s not him by himself it’s all of the coaching staff and all our players,” added Paine.

Australia will start their Test summer in November with a historic match against Afghanistan in Hobart. It will be followed by an Ashes campaign against England.

On England’s recent loss against New Zealand, Paine said: “New Zealand are a good team, and secondly I think it’s a really different team England put on the field to what we’re probably going to see in the Ashes, so I didn’t pay a whole heap of attention to it.”

“We know when they come here they’re going to get Ben Stokes, going to have Jofra Archer, they’re probably going to play a spinner, and a few other guys to really strengthen their depth,” added Paine.