New Aussie coach Langer rates India tour as ultimate challenge

Melbourne May 3 (IANS) Minutes after being appointed Australia coach across all formats former Test opener Justin Langer said his team s greatest challenge awaits in India three years from now.

Langer was on Wednesday unveiled as the head coach on a four-year contract that will see him at the helm in two Ashes Series a World Cup and World T20 tournament.

But the 47-year-old Langer cited a Test series win on Indian soil as the pinnacle and one that is required if the outfit he now oversees wants to lay claim to ‘greatness .

"We ve got a World Cup a T20 World Cup a couple of Ashes (in 2019 and 2021-22) -- I get nervous when I start thinking about it. There are some big tournaments coming up " Langer told a media conference here.

"But ultimately if I fast forward it the Indian Test tour in about three or four years time to me that s the ultimate.

"We will judge ourselves on whether we re a great cricket team if we beat India in India " he added.

Recalling the "Mount Everest" moment of his playing career Langer picked the 2004 tour of India when Australia thumped Sourav Ganguly s team 2-1.

"I look back on my career the Mount Everest moment was 2004 when we finally beat India in India " he said.

"We ve got to get better at playing overseas we become a great team if we win overseas and at home so that will be something for us to aspire to " Langer added.

Langer succeeded his former teammate Darren Lehmann who stepped down from his post following the infamous ball-tampering saga that rocked Australian cricket including the one-year bans on two of their best batsmen in former skipper Steve Smith and David Warner.

The former Test opener s maiden assignment with the Kangaroos will be next month s England tour that features five ODIs and a T20 international.

--IANS
tri/vm