Lucknow Super Giants appoint Justin Langer as their new head coach

Former Australia cricketer and head coach Justin Langer has been appointed as the new head coach of the Lucknow Super Giants for the next season. Notably, the franchise bid adieu to the former coach, Andy Flower, earlier in the day as his two-year contract got over. During Flower’s tenure, Lucknow Super Giants had good outings in both seasons of the IPL (2022 and 2023) as they managed to reach the playoffs of both editions.

Flower is currently in a consultancy role with Australia at the men's Ashes. On the other hand, Langer stepped down from his coaching duties for the Australian cricket team in 2022. Currently, the legendary opener is working as a broadcaster in the ongoing Ashes 2023. 

Meanwhile, in the latest developments in the Lucknow Super Giants franchise, they took to Twitter to make the announcement of Langer's appointment through their short post.

"'JUST IN: LANGER,'" the franchise wrote on their handle.

The social media handle of the franchise even dropped a hint for the fans a few minutes before the official announcement as they shared a collage of American actor and singer Justin Timberlake with people having food in a ‘Langar’ (feast). 

JUST IN: LANGER! 💙🙏 pic.twitter.com/UYu6XSfgIX

— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) July 14, 2023

Notably, Langer quit his role as the head coach of the Australian side after allegedly being offered an insulting six-month contract extension despite guiding the side to their first-ever T20 World Cup triumph in 2021. There were also rumours of a breakdown in the relationship between Langer and some senior players in the side. 

Following his resignation, Langer got support from several former teammates such as Mark Waugh, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, Matthew Hayden and the late Shane Warne, who hit back at Cricket Australia for his unfair treatment.

Langer last coached Australia in the Ashes 2022-23 for a winning cause

Following that, Justin Langer was replaced by Andrew McDonald who was entrusted with the job of taking the team ahead. The appointment has worked well for the Pat Cummins led-side so far as they recently won the World Test Championship final 2023 against India and are leading the ongoing Ashes 2023 series against England by 2-1.