Langer to coach Australia for T20s against Sri Lanka

Justin Langer will take charge of coaching Australia for three Twenty20 internationals against Sri Lanka in February, while Darren Lehmann is with the Test squad in India.

Langer, the coach of Western Australia, has previously stood in for Lehmann, guiding Australia to victory in the one-day international tri-series against South Africa and West Indies in June while Lehmann took a break.

The scheduling of the three T20s against Sri Lanka - in Melbourne on February 17, Geelong on February 19, and Adelaide on February 22 - so close to the first Test against India, which begins in Pune on February 23, means entirely different squads will be required.

"We are delighted that Justin has agreed to undertake the role of acting head coach for the Twenty20 international series against Sri Lanka," Pat Howard, Cricket Australia's executive general manager of team performance, said. "We would also like to thank WACA for their support in releasing Justin.

"He did a terrific job in the Caribbean in June when he stepped in for Darren Lehmann during the successful tri-series and so is already familiar with the working environment around the Australia team.

"He brings a wealth of experience as both a player and a coach and his record in helping the Perth Scorchers to a sustained level of success in the KFC Big Bash League means he fits the bill in all ways."

Justin Langer said: "I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of working with the national side in the Caribbean earlier this year and so I am excited and very grateful to get this opportunity to do it again, this time with the Twenty20 International squad against Sri Lanka.

"Twenty20 international cricket is the one format in which Australia is yet to win a global tournament so every chance we get to play it and develop our skills is very significant. That means these three matches will be hugely important.

"The advantage myself and the players will have is that the series will come just over two weeks after the KFC Big Bash League wraps up so we should all still be in Twenty20 mode.

"And with several senior players set to be in India ahead of the Test series, it really will give players an added incentive to perform in the upcoming KFC BBL to put their names forward for selection in the Sri Lanka series."