The Complex Relationship Between Justin Langer and Glenn Maxwell Revealed in Book
In Australian cricket, few relationships have seen as many ups and downs as the one between former head coach Justin Langer and batting sensation Glenn Maxwell.
From fierce confrontations to accusations of feigned injuries, their professional connection has been turbulent, marked by stark differences in perspective and strong personalities. Yet, for Maxwell, navigating this challenging relationship ultimately became a journey to self-respect and validation.
Their tumultuous history reached its peak in early 2020. Nearing the end of the Big Bash League season, Maxwell, then captaining the Melbourne Stars, injured his elbow in a match against the Sydney Sixers.
Following advice from Cricket Australia’s medical staff, he was told he needed immediate surgery due to loose bone and cartilage, which would leave him unfit for the upcoming tour of South Africa.
For Maxwell, it was a crushing blow. “I went to the doctor and said, ‘I’m not sure about this, but my elbow can’t straighten,’” he recounted. His doctor’s response was definitive: surgery was essential if he wanted to continue performing at his best.
Maxwell had hoped his injury and subsequent surgery would be accepted as an unfortunate turn of events. Instead, he found himself on the receiving end of Langer’s skepticism.
The controversy reached its peak during the Allan Border Medal event when Maxwell informed Cricket Australia’s Trevor Hohns about his need for surgery. Hohns was supportive, but his conversation with Langer was anything but amicable.
Langer accused Maxwell of timing the injury to avoid the South Africa tour, citing Maxwell’s earlier plans to attend a friend’s wedding. This suggestion that he was faking his injury ignited a heated exchange.
“I blew up,” Maxwell shared, reflecting on the confrontation. “I said, probably with several expletives, ‘Are you saying I’ve faked an injury?’ He wasn’t pleased and brought up the wedding, putting it to me directly that I’d engineered the timing to miss the tour.”
Maxwell’s frustration was only compounded by the fact that Cricket Australia’s medical team had urged him to seek immediate treatment. After the confrontation, he was left feeling unsupported, with no clear path to resolve the tension.
Langer’s doubts over Maxwell’s commitment were evident in his subsequent decision to exclude him from future tours, a move Maxwell interpreted as an unjust denial of his opportunity to reclaim his spot in the Australian Test squad.
“It was such a cruel blow,” Maxwell said. “The year that promised so much instead left me empty. It was handled abysmally by all involved.”
Despite the rocky history, Maxwell has emerged from the experience with a sense of hard-won respect, both for himself and, to a degree, for Langer. While they’ve had their differences, Maxwell has found value in the challenges he faced with his former coach, viewing the difficult relationship as a necessary part of his journey to become a more resilient player.
Though their history is marked by heated moments, the relationship between Maxwell and Langer has evolved into something that Maxwell can look back on as a critical part of his growth. Today, while not simple, there is a degree of mutual respect, both shaped by the trials they shared and the lessons Maxwell took forward.
