Justin Langer regrets not discussing Australia's BLM stance more

Australia cricket coach Justin Langer regrets re were t more conversations among squ about taking a knee in support of Black Lives Matter movement before matches on ongoing white-ball tour of England.

While players from England and West Indies teams took symbolic position on field before start of every match in ir three-test series in July, same has t happened during Australia's tour.

Australia captain Aaron Finch previously said his team decided against taking a knee after raising matter with England skipper Eoin Morgan because "education around it is more important than protest."

That brought a stinging rebuke from West Indies great Michael Holding, who has called response from England and Australia "lame."

Asked on Tuesday about Australia's stance on Black Lives Matter movement, Langer ackwledged it could have been discussed more upon squ's arrival in England as first sports team from Australia to travel overseas since COVID-19 pandemic broke.

"In terms of taking a knee, to be completely honest, we could have talked more about it perhaps leing up to first game," Langer said.

"re was so much going on leing up to us getting here, maybe we should have talked more about it.

"What we do talk about within team, was that we want to have a response that is sustained and powerful, and that it can go t just in one action but a sustained period t just throughout this series and summer but throughout time."

Langer described Holding, who has been a vocal vocate of Black Lives Matter, as "one of great people in world sport, and certainly our game."

"I just hope," Langer said, "if it looked like re was a lack of respect, it wasn't intention of our team. We were very aware of it. When Mikey says what he says, it's certainly worth listening to."

Australia has one game left of its tour, and it's Wednesday's decider in ODI series against England that stands at 1-1.

Steve Smith, Australia's star batsman, has missed first two matches after getting hit on he attempting to duck under a throwdown by a member of coaching staff in practice.

Langer said Smith has "ticked every box" in his recovery and will bat in nets on Tuesday.

"Fingers crossed," Langer said.

"We have been going through all concussion protocols and he is definitely tracking in right direction. Hopefully he will be alright for tomorrow.

"If he doesn't come up again, we will keep his like all of our players' health in mind."

It has turned out to be a frustrating limited-overs tour of England for Smith and same could be said for opener David Warner, who has been dismissed by paceman Jofra Archer in all four innings he has played across T20 and ODI matches. On three occasions, he has me only single-figure scores.

In teams' last 10 matches, Archer has removed Warner seven times.

Langer is unperturbed by that record and is backing Warner to strike back.

"Jofra Archer is an incredibly talented bowler but equally, Davey Warner, what a player," Langer said.

"I kw when he gets in, he scores hundreds in one-day cricket. t many people have ability like he does.

"Davey, he is a superstar, an incredibly important part of our side. I'm sure he's working overtime to be up for tomorrow night's game.

im credits: AP