Justin Langer arrives at Perth airport after shock resignation as Australia cricket coach

Hours after his shock resignation as Australia’s cricket coach on Saturday, a dejected Justin Langer has arrived at Perth Airport to reunite with his family.

On the other side of the country, Cricket Australia desperately tried to justify only offering Langer, 51, a six-month contract extension just weeks after thrashing the English in the Ashes.

The former gritty Test opening batsman was insulted by the offer and walked away from the role, effective immediately.

Amid mounting criticism, Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley backed the decision from the board not to retain Langer long term.

‘He (Langer) has done a fantastic job…  but we looked at the needs of the team… they have evolved,’ he said.

‘The process has been thorough and in the best interests of Australian cricket… not all the decisions we make are always popular.

‘(We feel) it is time for a period of transition and we are confident of continued success.’ 

Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley told reporters on Saturday the team has ‘evolved’ past Langer’s coaching methods

Australian Test great Mitchell Johnson said he was ‘angry’ and ‘disappointed’ to learn of Langer’s resignation

Hockley found little support among a number of former Australian cricket greats as well as countless fans who were in disbelief at the news. 

Ricky Ponting branded Cricket Australia’s handling of the Langer affair ’embarrassing’.

He was joined by Matthew Hayden, pace bowler Mitchell Johnson and fellow ex-coach John Buchanan, who were stunned the man who guided Australia to the T20 World Cup as well as a recent 4-0 Ashes win had been forced out.

‘It’s been a really poor six months with the way Cricket Australia have handled some of the better people in Australian cricket,’ Ponting told the ABC.

‘Those being Justin Langer and Tim Paine (at the start of the summer).

‘I think it’s been almost embarrassing the way they handled those two cases.’

Ponting also admitted he was disappointed Pat Cummins had not publicly backed the coach, but said he understood the new captain was in a difficult situation.

The Tasmanian sporting legend went on to claim ‘a very small group’ of players and other support staff had grown tired of Langer’s intense style, which has prompted his exit.

‘That’s been enough to force out a man that has put his life and heart and soul into Australian cricket,’ Ponting added.

‘And (someone who has) done a sensational job of turning around the culture and the way the Australian cricket team has been looked at over the past three or four years.

‘I actually think it’s a really sad day as far as Australian cricket is concerned.’

An emotional Hayden was bemused by the lack of support from players, while Buchanan believes Cricket Australia ‘hung Justin out to dry’.

Former all-rounder Andrew McDonald has been appointed as interim head coach and will lead the team for the upcoming tour of Pakistan.

McDonald is also the favourite to assume the role on a full-time basis with Trevor Bayliss and Jason Gillespie the other most likely candidates.

An external review last year had put the coach’s contract into question after it found players thought Langer’s coaching style ‘overly harsh’

Langer had taken over the national coaching position from Darren Lehmann in 2018 following the Cape Town ball-tampering controversy in South Africa

Langer also has his supporter son social media, with this fan labelling Langer’s treatment ‘disgraceful’

After Langer’s management confirmed he was resigning, this fan said he was ‘brought down by an incompetent and morally bankrupt organisation’