Former Australia boss Justin Langer has been given the task of reviving the London Spirit’s fortunes in English cricket’s controversial Hundred competition after being named head coach of the struggling men’s team.

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The appointment of Langer comes just a month after compatriot Trevor Bayliss, once in charge of the England men’s national side, left his role as Spirit boss after overseeing just three wins out of 16 games in the past two seasons of the Hundred.

The Lords-based Spirit boast the likes of England Test vice-captain Ollie Pope and opening batter Zak Crawley as well as West Indian white-ball guns Andre Russell and Shimron Hetmyer, and Australian T20 representative Nathan Ellis in their squad, but finished bottom of the table in 2024.

Opening batsman Langer, 54, played more than a 100 Tests for Australia and also coached his home country from 2018-22, winning two Ashes series and also lifting the 2021 T20 World Cup.

He has previously coached Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash and is head coach of Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League.

His appointment will also see Langer return to The Home of Cricket after being an overseas player for Lords-based county, Middlesex, between 1998 and 2000.

“I’m thrilled to be appointed to this role with London Spirit, and I’m excited to experience The Hundred,” Langer said.

“I’m looking forward to being a part of the tournament later this year, and working with such a talented group of players and coaches.”

The Hundred, where each team plays 100 ball per innings comprises eight specially created clubs, each featuring a men’s and women’s teams.

This has proved controversial and a source of frustration to many longstanding English cricket fans as it makes it the only senior domestic men’s competition not involving all the traditional 18 first-class counties.