The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is currently searching for a new Test head coach after Brendon McCullum was sacked from his post. Now, a new name is leading the race, and he is none other than Australian great Justin Langer.
Earlier, former England coach Andy Flower was considered to be the frontrunner to replace McCullum as the new Test head coach, but he has also been out of the race. However, McCullum will remain the white-ball head coach of the England national cricket team.
Justin Langer has emerged as the favorite for the post of England’s Test coach.
Former Australia head coach Justin Langer has now reportedly become the strongest candidate to take charge of the England Test team following Andy Flower’s decision not to return to the team.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has intensified the search for his replacement after removing Brendon McCullum from the post of Test coach. With Flower out of the running, Langer has now become the frontrunner for one of the high-profile coaching jobs in the world.
ECB managing director of men’s cricket Rob Key has already made good progress in the search for England’s next Test coach, The Guardian reports. With the busy Test season approaching, the board is keen to appoint a new coach as soon as possible.
Justin Langer’s name has now topped the shortlist, although earlier he was not being seen as a possible option. Interestingly, Langer had refused to accept the England job back in 2022, saying, “I have never spoken to English cricket. The thought of coaching England… mate!”
The ECB is serious about Justin Langer but faces the same dilemma that forced Andy Flower to say no
At that time, Langer had stepped down as head coach of Australia. However, the situation has now reportedly changed, and the ECB is reportedly seriously considering the former Australian batsman for the post of Test head coach.
But Justin Langer will face a tough decision if the ECB officially offers him the job. The former Australia opening batsman is currently the head coach of Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, and he is also coaching Manchester Super Giants in The Hundred.
If England take an official stance, Langer will find himself in the same position that led to Flower’s decision not to take the England job.
Justin Langer × England Test Cricket
Langer is a strong favorite to be England’s next Test coach. [George Dobell] pic.twitter.com/zXM6W4KiGg
– Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 17, 2026
Andy Flower turned down England job for franchise cricket
Meanwhile, Andy Flower was the leading candidate due to his successful record with England. During his tenure as head coach between 2009 and 2014, England became the No. 1 Test team in the world and won three Ashes series. Since Flower’s exit, England have not been that effective in Tests.
The England national cricket team is currently ranked fifth in the ICC Test rankings and has managed to win only one Ashes series since 2013. Their record in Australia has also been poor, having won only one Test there since the famous Ashes victory of 2010–11.
But Flower has decided not to return. The former Zimbabwe captain informed the ECB that he wishes to continue in his current coaching roles. Flower is currently the head coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He is also coaching London Spirit in The Hundred.
He said it would not be possible for him to manage England’s tough Test schedule as well as franchise commitments. The second name in the race is that of Stephen Fleming, who is ready to take over this post. But reports have revealed that the ECB has not yet contacted Fleming.
