While restoring the public’s trust in the Australian cricket team remains Justin Langer’s foremost target as the new coach, a return to the pinnacle in Test cricket is also on the agenda.
Having been handed a four-year contract as the new Australia coach, Langer has said that a Test series win in India would be the ultimate achievement.
“We’ve got a World Cup, a T20 World Cup, a couple of Ashes – I get nervous when I start thinking about it,” Langer said during a press conference in Melbourne on Thursday.
“There are some big tournaments coming up. 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.
Langer was part of the Australia team that won in India in 2004.
“I look back on my career, the Mount Everest moment was 2004 when we finally beat India in India.
“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 has taken over the role vacated by Darren Lehmann following the infamous ball-tampering episode which also saw Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft handed suspensions from Cricket Australia.
His first assignment as the coach of the men’s national team will be Australia’s upcoming tour of England in June where the two old rivals will play five ODIs and a sole T20I.