He's finally worn me down: Justin Langer praises Dan Christian ahead of Windies clash
Veteran Australian all-rounder Dan Christian has returned to the national squad after a span of five years and will be hopeful of cementing his place ahead of the T20 World Cup slated to be played in UAE later this year. Australian head coach Justin Langer is hopeful that Christian can solidify his position in the team for the all-round attributes which he can lend balance to the relatively inexperienced team.
"He's finally worn me down, Christo. I've been in the job three years and every time he gets some runs in any game or competition around the world, he texts me and says 'coach I'm ready to go, pick me I'm the best all-rounder in Australia'," said Justin Langer.
"So he's so good to have around the team. He's a fantastic bloke, he's got an amazing set of hands in the field, he's, you know he's clever with the ball - his experience, and we've seen throughout the Big Bash and all around the world actually - he hits the ball as cleanly as anyone,” Langer was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
Christian scored a quickfire 47 of 31 deliveries in the intra-squad game and has been a consistent performer in T20 leagues across the globe. He was a star performer in the Big Bash League and the selector had no other options but to give him an opportunity to rediscover his international career at almost the twilight of his career. Langer is excited to have him in the squad and can’t wait to see him replicate his heroics in the international arena.
“He's got an incredibly easy swing of the cricket bat - so I'd love to have him in the team. It's almost becoming an urban myth, isn't it? You know wherever he plays, we win, so yeah, it's great to have him in the team. It's a bit like having in the past we've had senior players like Brad Hogg, who have come in really late and had an impact, and I can't wait to watch Chris,” Langer said.
Australia has named a new-look squad for the T20I series against West Indies after several of the first choice players opted out of the series citing fatigue issues. While Steve Smith is injured, Pat Cummins has been given rest by the board to manage his workload. Meanwhile skipper Aaron Finch has made it clear that the players missing out on this series won't make an automatic return to the squad and stand a chance of missing out on the World Cup ticket later this year.
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