Atherton endorses Langer's dossier

"Aggressive batting, running and body language will soon have them (England players) staring at their bootlaces," Former England captain Mike Atherton said.

"One thing this Australia team have in common with their predecessors is toughness, a soul-deep toughness that, at the critical moment, befriended them again while deserting their opponents," he said.

"The real insight from Langer came not from his deciphering of England's technical shortcomings but of their temperaments. Langer is suitably embarrassed about the leaking of his plans. But didn't England do a splendid job of proving him right at Headingley?" Atherton said.

"Broad is a promising young cricketer, but listening to his comments, he misunderstands the true nature of mental toughness. Maybe other England players do too," Atherton said.

"Toughness has nothing to do with staring, sledging or ganging up on the opposition. It has everything to do with an ability to execute hard-won skills under maximum pressure.

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