Langer plans to scout for Big Bash talent on Windies tour

BRISBANE, Australia, CMC – Stand-in Australia coach Justin Langer says he will be scouting for West Indian talent to recruit for the Big Bash League, during the upcoming Tri-Nations Series next month.

The former Test batsman is the leading national side for the June 3-26 one-day series in place of regular head coach Darren Lehman, who has been given a rest by Cricket Australia.

“We’ve still got two positions [available]. David Willey was excellent last year but he’s only available for a few games,” said Langer, who is also head coach of Perth Scorchers.

“I’ve got my Scorchers hat on every day of the week looking for the right people to bring across whether it’s domestically or internationally. No doubt I’ll have a look at a few of their players and see if they fit the bill back here.”

Several West Indies players already campaign in the glitzy Twenty20 league Down Under, with the likes of Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy, Samuel Badree, Lendl Simmons, Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell all having played in the competition before.

Last January, Gayle found himself embroiled in a sexism scandal sparked by a controversial live interview with Channel TEN’s Mel McLaughlin when he appeared to openly flirt with the reporter.

Melbourne Renegades announced this week they would not re-sign Gayle for the upcoming season but in response to a reporter’s question yesterday, Langer seemed to leave that option open for Scorchers.

“He [Gayle] won’t be playing this tournament (Tri-Nations) so I won’t get to see him in action but you never know, we want to get the best combination for Scorchers cricket and for the club so who knows.”

The Tri-Nations will be played in Guyana, St Kitts and Barbados and involves West Indies and South Africa.