Move FM Australian News

London – Australia coach Justin Langer has defended his players’ boisterous celebrations after retaining the Ashes following claims they mocked England spin bowler Jack Leach.

At one stage, Australia’s star batsman Steve Smith was seen wearing and rubbing a pair of glasses before shadow batting left-handed in the middle of a team huddle.

But Langer is adamant Smith was mimicking Chris Rogers, who last played for Australia in 2015 and, like Leach, wears glasses when he bats.

As a member of one of Australia’s greatest Test teams in the 1990s and 2000s, Langer experienced many victory parties and he joked the current generation’s celebration was not especially impressive.

“Fake news, like Donald Trump says,” said Bayliss. “No one has mentioned it or spoken about it. It’s all talk from you guys (the media).”

“He hasn’t got the runs he’d like at the moment but I’m looking forward to it when he does. There’s no better place in the world to bat than the Oval. Looking forward to seeing him go well this week,” Langer said.