Justin Langer, the Australian cricket coach, has admitted he still wakes up in a cold sweat when he sees footage of England all-rounder Ben Stokes’ amazing 2019 Ashes finale.
Justin Langer, the Australian cricket captain, has revealed that he still has nightmares about Ben Stokes’ 2019 heroics.
On the last day of England’s intra-squad Ashes warm-up match, Ben Stokes scored 42 runs.
Ben Stokes’ match-winning performance in the third Ashes Test at Headingley in 2019 has given Australia’s head coach Justin Langer “nightmares.”
With an incredible unbroken 135, the all-rounder kept England’s chances of reclaiming the urn alive, guiding the hosts to a one-wicket victory.
After taking a sabbatical to focus on his mental health, Stokes is back in the England team for the Ashes in Australia.
“There’s no question about it, he’s a brilliant cricketer,” Langer remarked.
“His innings in the third Test still gives me nightmares.”
“On day three of the game, I definitely had more nightmares about his [bowling] spell. He’s a fantastic athlete and a fierce competitor.”
In July, Stokes revealed that he will take an extended vacation from cricket to concentrate on his mental health and to recuperate from a second surgery on a broken finger.
He was added to the Ashes team in October, stating that he felt “much better about things,” and returned on Thursday to take two wickets in a warm-up match.
“Ben Stokes playing Ashes cricket is fantastic for the game, and we all adore it,” Langer continued.
“It’s an Australian summer, and it wouldn’t be the same if the top players weren’t on the field.”
“It’s fantastic to see him, and I hope he’s in good health. We are delighted to have him here since he is one of the game’s superstars.”
Paine is “shattered” by what has occurred.
Tim Paine (left) is taking a sabbatical from cricket and will not be available for the Ashes.
Following the departure of Test captain Tim Paine in November, the Ashes represent the start of a new era for Australia.
The wicketkeeper stood down as captain after a historical inquiry into sexually explicit messages he sent to a female colleague in 2017, and was replaced by fast bowler Pat Cummins.
Paine then declared a one-month layoff, with Langer, who recently paid him a visit, stating the 36-year-old feels “shattered” by recent events.
“He has been a shining light in Australian cricket for the last four years in particular. Obviously, his life has altered. However, you’d have to inquire as to how he’s doing “Langer said.
“We speak about caring after our sons and having each other’s backs, so it was vital to meet him. Going to see him was a no-brainer for me.”
“Don’t we live in a world of perfectionism, don’t we?” he said. We live in a culture that is quite judgemental.
“As I said in my very first press conference when asked about Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft [following the sandpaper ball-tampering scandal in South Africa], there isn’t a single person asking questions here, on camera here, listening to this, or watching who hasn’t made a mistake in their life.”
“There isn’t a single person there.” Our captain, one of the finest, committed a blunder for which he is paying a high price.
“What I see in my profession, and what I see in the culture we live in, is harsh. You learn from your mistakes, but we live in a harsh society. That’s a real pity.”
The five-Test Ashes series against Australia starts at the Gabba in Brisbane on Wednesday, December 8th.
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