Justin Langer is to take up another tough challenge in England amid his globetrotting cricketing life, asked to succeed where fellow Aussies Shane Warne and Trevor Bayliss both failed as coach of the London Spirit franchise in The Hundred.
The former Test opener has been in great demand ever since he was sacked following a successful four-year reign as Australia's coach in 2022 and his latest role takes him back to Lord's where he played as Middlesex's overseas player between 1998 and 2000 and captained them in his final season.
The 54-year-old, who's previously coached the Perth Scorchers in the BBL, is also head coach at the Indian Premier League franchise Lucknow Super Giants and had been mooted at one point last year as a possible coach of India's national team.
His appointment as the London Spirit coach comes a month after another distinguished Australian coach Bayliss left the role after three seasons.
Though the Spirit got to the playoffs and finished third in his first year, Bayliss then managed to oversee only three wins out of 11 matches in his following two campaigns in England's hundred-balls-an-innings competition.
Twice an Ashes-winning coach and mentor to the T20 World Cup-winning Aussie side in 2021, Langer will be charged with bringing success to the well-backed Lord's franchise, which also failed to fire when the late, great Warne led them in the inaugural event in 2021.
While the men's team have consistently struggled, the Spirit's women's team lifted their trophy last year, only putting more pressure on Langer to succeed.
"I'm thrilled to be appointed to this role with London Spirit, and I'm excited to experience The Hundred," Langer said.
"I'm looking forward to being a part of the tournament later this year, and working with such a talented group of players and coaches."
London Spirit general manager Fraser Stewart added that Langer had "excelled in the interview process, which took place before Christmas, and came out on top in what was a hugely competitive field."
The IPL season in India for Langer will begin in March and run for two months until the middle of May, while The Hundred will take place in July and August.
