The Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) has confirmed Justin Langer is their No.1 target in the search for a new coach.

Lachlan Stevens resigned as coach of the Western Australia and Perth Scorchers cricket teams on Wednesday, citing personal reasons.

The board met on Wednesday night and identified Langer as its preferred candidate for both roles.

Langer, Australia’s batting coach, is with the national team in Brisbane for the first Test against South Africa.

WACA chief executive Christina Matthews issued a statement on Thursday, saying discussions with the former WA captain will be put on hold until the first Test ends.

“We respect Justin has a very important job to do over the next five days,” Matthews said.

“We will therefore allow him to concentrate on that task before we intend to speak with him about the position of Warriors and Scorchers head coach, and hope to make a positive announcement shortly after the completion of the Brisbane Test.”

Stevens’ resignation capped a tumultuous month for the WACA, who have been dealing with the fallout of a boozy night out in South Africa that overshadowed the Scorchers’ Champions League Twenty20 campaign.

Marcus North recently stood down as captain of Western Australia and the Scorchers, citing his own form issues rather than any off-field culture concerns.

Adam Voges was endorsed as North’s successor at Wednesday night’s WACA board meeting.

The Warriors have copped three-day thrashings in each of their three Sheffield Shield games this season, suggesting the state will struggle to break a title drought that stretches back to 2004.

Assistant coach Adam Griffith will take the reins for WA’s first-class fixture against South Australia, which begins at the WACA Ground on Monday.