Cricket Australia refutes reports of new coach appointment

Melbourne, April 18 (IANS) Cricket Australia (CA) has denied claims that former Test opener Justin Langer will be appointed as Australia's head coach.

The 'West Australian' newspaper reported on Wednesday that Langer, who played 105 Tests for Australia, would be ratified at a CA board meeting on Friday. 

However, CA have refuted the report but confirmed initial steps would be taken to find a replacement for Darren Lehmann, who resigned in the aftermath of the ball tampering scandal.

"The process to be undertaken for the appointment of a new coach will be discussed and agreed at the CA board meeting this Friday," a CA spokesperson said in a statement. 

"No appointment has been made, and nor will any candidate be put to the board for ratification on Friday. We expect to have a clearer understanding of the approach and appointment timelines following this meeting," he added.

Langer has coached Western Australia and the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League (BBL) since 2012 and has long been considered the natural successor to Lehmann.

Langer has served as interim head coach of Australia's limited-overs team on several occasions.

IANS