Langer strongly denies rift with Lillee

Western Warriors Captain Justin Langer today strongly rebutted the suggestions that he had lost respect for Western Australian Cricket Association President Dennis Lillee and that the pair now had a strained relationship.

The story in today's edition of The West Australian implied that two of the most respected people in the Western Australian cricket fraternity were at loggerheads following a number of comments over the past weeks. Langer strongly refuted this suggestion.

“I want it known that Dennis Lillee and I have a great deal of respect for each other,” Langer said.

“The suggestion that I have lost respect for Dennis is simply false, as is the suggestion that we have a strained relationship.

“Dennis, as WACA President, and I as State Captain both have important roles to play in continuing the positive progress that the WACA and cricket in WA has made over the past two years and this will remain our focus.”

Langer also made it clear that the ongoing media attention would not detract from the Warriors upcoming set of fixtures against Queensland.

“The media focus on Dennis' comments about the Australian Test team has not, and will not, affect the Warriors in our preparation for the biggest domestic cricket match at the WACA in years nor will it affect my preparations for the Ashes.

“I reiterated several times at yesterday's media conference that I do not consider this an issue and did not want to comment further. It is disappointing that these sentiments were taken out of context.”

Further to Langer's statements Lillee affirmed that two of the sport's leaders in WA had a relationship based on mutual respect.

“I hold Justin Langer in the absolute highest regard and always will do. The claim that we are at war with each other couldn't be further from the truth,” Lillee said.

“Justin is a great example of dedication and application for his teammates as well as future generations of Warriors. I look forward to him continuing to lead by example on the field in the Pura Cup match against Queensland on Sunday.”

Following a number of media enquiries the Western Australian Cricket Association would like to put on the public record the distinction between Dennis Lillee's position as President of the Association and his external commitments as a cricket and media personality.

WACA Chairman David Williams said the Board and Membership of the WACA had understood the distinction since his election to the Presidency in September 2004.

“When the WACA Membership overwhelmingly elected Dennis to the position of President they were aware of the whole Dennis Lillee package,” Williams said.

“It must be appreciated that Dennis, like all office bearers across the State Cricket Associations and Cricket Australia, occupies an honorary position. It is not their livelihood. In Dennis' case he makes his living through a number of interests including as a cricket columnist and as a product promoter.

“It is necessary for this distinction to be made. When Dennis makes comment on the Australian cricket team or individual players he does so as Dennis Lillee the commentator and not as Dennis Lillee the WACA President.

“His position as WACA President is one that he takes very seriously and I can bear witness to the many hours and the enormous contribution he has made to the WACA over the past two and a half years.”