Former Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson says Pat Cummins has “failed his first big test as captain pretty miserably”.

In a column in the West Australian newspaper, Johnson slammed Cummins for failing to support Justin Langer, who on Saturday resigned as head coach rather than accept a six-month contract extension.

“Pat Cummins has been lauded as some type of cricketing saint since his elevation to the top job this summer,” Johnson wrote.

“Cummins might have delivered with the ball during the Ashes series, but he has failed his first big test as captain pretty miserably.

“He had plenty of public opportunities to endorse an extension for Langer. So when he let it through to the keeper every time, it became pretty obvious he didn’t want it to happen.”

Langer’s departure came after he coached Australia to their maiden T20 World Cup title and a 4-0 Ashes Test series win against England.

Johnson wrote that if Cummins wanted Langer out, the captain should have been more forthcoming about it.

“His recent interviews have been gutless by not respecting his coach when he could have been upfront from the start.”