Justin Langer has revealed why taking the England Test coaching job was never going to be an easy decision. The former Australia coach was linked with the role earlier this summer. However, Stephen Fleming eventually took charge of England’s Test side. Langer later explained the personal cost he believed the job could have brought. Speaking after Australia’s win over Bangladesh, he joked that accepting the role would have caused problems at home.

“I probably would have got divorced if I did [take the job]. I would have been divorced literally from my wife and daughters,” he said. The remark came while discussing the fierce Australia-England rivalry. He also joked that his close Australian friends would have turned against him. “But also [divorced by] Ricky and Haydos and the other [Australian] mates,” he added.

Langer then explained why coaching England against Australia would have felt particularly strange. The Ashes rivalry remains one of cricket’s biggest contests. He spent four years coaching Australia and knows the team and its players closely. The thought of facing his former side in an Ashes series clearly did not appeal to him. “It’s a big job and a big project. Stephen Fleming has got a great cricket mind but from my point of view, I thought of singing the England national anthem in the Ashes. Oh, man! No,” he said. His comments offered a humorous look at just how difficult the decision could have been.

“Two-day Test matches are unacceptable”: Justin Langer raises concerns over Test cricket as match between Australia and Bangladesh end in two days

Justin Langer has criticised the growing trend of Test matches ending inside two days. His comments came after Australia crushed Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs in Mackay. The match lasted only 750 balls, with Australia levelling the series 1-1. Langer called the result a worrying sign for Test cricket. “Two-day Test matches are unacceptable. It's no good for the game for so many reasons,” he said. He also pointed to the effect on spectators and young fans. “Last year was disappointing for the crowds, for the kids who get to watch their heroes,” Langer added. The former Australia opener also raised concerns about Cricket Australia’s finances. “Economically it's a disaster for Cricket Australia who put money into grassroots cricket,” he said.

Langer believes poor batting technique is a bigger problem than difficult pitches. Bangladesh were dismissed for 64 and 95, while Mitchell Starc took 10 wickets in the match. Langer said many dismissals showed basic technical problems. “I think a lot of it is down to basic batting technique,” he explained. He also pointed to poor footwork among the batters. The former opener argued that players need stronger fundamentals to succeed in Test cricket. He also questioned the common explanation that pitches are responsible for quick finishes. Australia’s victory was their third Test in the last seven to finish within two days. That trend has now added more fuel to the debate about the future of Test cricket.