Justin Langer

Infobox cricketer biography
playername = Justin Langer

---

country = Australia
fullname = Justin Lee Langer
nickname = JL, Alfie
living = true
dayofbirth = 21
monthofbirth = 11
yearofbirth = 1970
placeofbirth = Perth, Western Australia
countryofbirth = Australia
heightm = 1.78
batting = Left-handed
bowling = Right-arm medium
international = true
testdebutdate = 23 January
testdebutyear = 1993
testdebutagainst = West Indies
testc

lasttestdate = 5 January
lasttestyear = 2007
lasttestagainst = England
odidebutdate = 14 April
odidebutyear = 1994
odidebutagainst = Sri Lanka
odic

lastodidate = 25 May
lastodiyear = 1997
lastodiagainst = England
club1 = Western Australia
year1 = 1991 – 2008
clubnumber1 = 7
club2 = Somerset
year2 = 2006 –
clubnumber2 = 5
club3 = Middlesex
year3 = 1998 – 2000
deliveries = balls
columns = 4
column1 = Tests
matches1 = 105
runs1 = 7,696
bat avg1 = 45.27
100s/50s1 = 23/30
top score1 = 250
deliveries1 = 6
wickets1 = 0
bowl avg1 = –
fivefor1 = –
tenfor1 = –
best bowling1 = –
catches/stumpings1 = 73/–
column2 = ODI
matches2 = 8
runs2 = 160
bat avg2 = 32.00
100s/50s2 = 0/0
top score2 = 36
deliveries2 = 0
wickets2 = –
bowl avg2 = –
fivefor2 = –
tenfor2 = n/a
best bowling2 = –
catches/stumpings2 = 2/1
column3 = FC
matches3 = 330
runs3 = 26,468
bat avg3 = 50.80
100s/50s3 = 81/99
top score3 = 342
deliveries3 = 374
wickets3 = 5
bowl avg3 = 40.80
fivefor3 = 0
tenfor3 = 0
best bowling3 = 2/17
catches/stumpings3 = 290/–
column4 = LA
matches4 = 211
runs4 = 7,185
bat avg4 = 39.04
100s/50s4 = 12/50
top score4 = 146
deliveries4 = 193
wickets4 = 7
bowl avg4 = 30.71
fivefor4 = 0
tenfor4 = n/a
best bowling4 = 3/51
catches/stumpings4 = 100/2
date = 10 March
year = 2008
source = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/6256.html Cricinfo

Justin Lee Langer AM (born 21 November 1970 in Perth) is a former Australian cricketer. A left-handed batsman, his opening partnership with Matthew Hayden in Test matches was one of the most successful pairs of all-time. Langer is also a solid gully fielder, and was very occasionally the wicket-keeper for the Australian one-day team. In January 2007 he retired from international cricket. He can play both aggressively and defensively, but has a reputation for grinding away. However, in a recent Wisden Australia article, Langer's Test strike rate was shown to be superior to that of noted strokemakers Mark Waugh and Damien Martyn. Langer is also the highest run-scorer for Western Australia in Pura Cup/Sheffield Shield matches. [ [http://content-www.cricinfo.com/baggygreen/content/story/323858.html Langer reaches WA Record] ]

Early career

Justin Langer debuted against the West Indies in Adelaide, in 1993. This test was most noted for a famous run-chase by Australia, that fell just short. Langer made a name for himself by taking numerous blows in the first few balls of his international career, against fast bowlers such as Curtly Ambrose.

Langer only played five games before being dropped. He was recalled four years later for the Australian tour of Pakistan. The tour started disastrously for Langer, scoring lowly in the first game. This was compounded by receiving a golden duck in the first innings of the second game in Karachi. In the next innings Langer was trapped for what was thought to be an LBW, that would have given Langer the most unwanted pair in cricket. However, umpire Steve Bucknor did not give it out, and Langer went on to score his first century in International cricket.

In November 1999 at Bellerive Oval in Hobart, he shared a match-winning 238-run partnership with Adam Gilchrist to rescue Australia from 126/5 chasing a victory target of 369 against Pakistan. The century scored in this innings was scored in a long 388 minutes, an Australian record.

2001-2002

Langer was a number 3 batsman until 2001 when he was dropped after failing to convert a series of starts during Australia's 2-1 loss in India. Shortly after though, he replaced Michael Slater as an opening batsman for the final 2001 Ashes series Test at the Oval where he celebrated his return with a century. He has not looked back since: as an opening batsman, he averaged 52.38 and has scored 14 centuries in 44 matches; previously he scored 7 centuries in 41 matches at an average of 39.04. Langer returned to Australia in the 02-03 Ashes series, where his very successful partnership with Matthew Hayden developed. In this series, Langer scored his top score of 250 against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

2003-2007

Langer personally outscored the entire Pakistan side in Perth test of 2004. He scored 191 and 97 in the first innings while Pakistan made 179 and 72. It was the first occasion of a player being dismissed in both the 190's and 90's in a Test.

He captained the Prime Minister's XI in December 2005 in their match against the West Indies.

In the 2005 Ashes series, Langer top-scored for an unsuccessful Australian team, with 391 in the series. His top score was 102, scored in the final test.

After this, pressure was mounting on the opening partnership of Hayden and Langer. Calls were coming to have the pair replaced by younger duo, that would ensure the future and stability of the team to come. However, the partnership had support from the Australian selectors, and was only disrupted in the 2006 Summer series when Langer was out with injury. He was replaced by Mike Hussey and Phil Jaques for two tests.

Langer then suffered a number of injuries, increasing the pressure on selectors to drop Langer for rising star Phil Jaques. However, Langer was selected over Jaques for the 2007 Ashes series, which would turn out to be his last. Langer scored an 80 and a century in the first test, but it was slim pickings to follow for him.

Despite success in the Australian Test team, he did not get recalled to the one-day team, even after he was named as the domestic ING Cup's player of the season in 2002/03. Langer was the captain of the Western Warriors until the end of the 2006/2007 season. The captaincy has since been given to Marcus North, but the Warriors have failed to make the Pura Cup or Ford Ranger Cup finals.

Retirement From International Cricket and Australian Domestic Cricket

On 1 January 2007, Langer announced his retirement from Test cricket after the fifth Ashes Test against England, starting at the Sydney Cricket Ground the following day [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ausveng/content/current/story/274608.html Cricinfo - Langer joins SCG retirement list ] ] . Somerset CCC also announced on the same day that Langer had agreed to return to the English county in 2007 as captain, and possibly extend his stay until 2008 in a similar deal to that agreed by fellow international retiree, Shane Warne with Hampshire CCC Langer also stayed on with the Western Warriors, for one last season in 07/08. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/counties/somerset/6222207.stm BBC SPORT | Cricket | Counties | Somerset | Somerset reveal Langer captaincy ] ]

On 5 March, Langer announced his retirement from Australian 4-Day Domestic Cricket. Earlier in the year, Langer announced his retirement from the One Day form of domestic cricket in Australia. However, Langer will play out another season for Somerset in county cricket. Langer played for Western Australia in a career spanning 17 years. Langer will leave as the highest run-scorer in Western Australia's history. [ [http://content-www.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/341101.html Langer announces Australian Domestic Retirement] ]

County Cricket

Langer played county cricket for Middlesex CCC (1998-2000) and was captain in 2000. In June 2006 it was announced that he would join Somerset CCC from late June for six weeks, while fellow countryman Dan Cullen is on duty with Australia A. On 20 July 2006, he made his highest first-class score of 342 playing for Somerset in a County Championship match versus Surrey at the Woodbridge Road ground in Guildford. This was also the highest score ever by a Somerset batsman, breaking the record of Sir Vivian Richards who made 322 against Warwickshire at Taunton in 1985, and is the 10th highest score in a first-class match in England.

On 20 April 2007 he became the first Somerset player to score two triple centuries in the county championship.

On 19 September 2007 it was announced that Langer would stay with Somerset (as captain) for the 2008 season. [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/england/content/story/311655.html Langer agrees one-year deal with Somerset] ] In 15 first-class matches for the county in 2007 Langer scored 1215 runs at 57.85 as well a 764 in the one-day competitions.

Famous duels and partners

Langer is famous for his trilogy of duals with Shoaib Akhtar. They both have great respect for each other as well as fear. Langer once said he sees nightmares because of his Thunderbolt Bouncers and good length deliveries, Shoaib answered that he sees nightmares because of Langers square cuts, cover drives, pulls and hooks.

During a match in Peshawar in 1998, Langer and Mark Taylor had a massive partnership. Shoaib was bowling at an extreme pace on a batsman's paradise. He was accompanied by Mohammad Zahid, who is rated by Brian Lara as the fastest bowler he ever faced.

Langer in that match played a square drive off Akhtar's bowling, that went for four between deep point and deep backward point. Shoaib rates this shot as the best stroke played by a batsman against his bowling.

Makhaya Ntini and Curtly Ambrose are among the very few bowlers who have been able to use their pace and accuracy to pressure Langer. Langer was hit by a devastating bouncer from Ntini (South Africa v Australia, 3rd Test, Johannesburg, 2nd day).

Langer underwent scans in hospital after being struck on the head by Makhaya Ntini and suffered concussion during his 100th Test, but was cleared of serious injury. He was hit with the first ball of Australia's innings on the second day, at Johannesburg, and was helped from the field, appearing unsteady. Despite the risk of being killed if hit on the head again, Langer padded up to bat if it was required of him. Brett Lee scored the winning runs before he was needed, however.

Justin Langer's most famous partner was Matthew Hayden. The opening pair represented Australia in more than 100 innings. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/columns/knockedabout-langer-was-still-crazy-brave/2007/01/01/1167500062651.html Knocked-about Langer was still crazy brave - Columns - Ashes Tour 06-07 ] ]

Personal life

Justin is an old boy of Aquinas College, Perth, [ [http://www.angelfire.com/mt/JustinLanger/bio.html Justin Langer Profile] ] the nephew of Rob Langer, a left-handed batsman for Western Australia during the 1970s and 1980s. [Cricket Archives [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/7/7187/7187.html Rob Langer] retrieved 21 June 2007] He is married to his high school sweetheart, Sue, and has four daughters: Jessica, Ali-Rose, Sophie and Grace. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/player/6256.html CricInfo Australia] , retrieved 8 February 2007]

Justin is also a talented Martial Artist. He has obtained the rank of blackbelt in Zen Do Kai. Langer also stepped in the ring with Vic Darchinyan for two rounds. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/other_international/australia/4731378.stm] , retrieved 16 August 2007]

Langer has written three books, the latest one, an autobiography released after his blockbuster return from rock bottom in 2001, entitled 'The Power of Passion'. More recently, he has released a book with Steve Harmison entitled 'Ashes Frontline: The Ashes War Diaries of Steve Harmison and Justin Langer' about the 2006-07 Ashes series in Australia. [ [http://www.bookfellas.co.uk/scripts/browse.asp?ref=1905828535&source=J69 BOOKS - LIFESTYLE, SPORT & LEISURE: Ashes Frontline: The Ashes War Diaries of Steve Harmison and Justin Langer ] ] His first book was entitled 'From Outback to Outfield: A Revealing Diary of Life on the County Cricket Circuit'. [ [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Outback-Outfield-Revealing-Cricket-Circuit/dp/0747262543 Amazon.co.uk: From Outback to Outfield: A Revealing Diary of Life on the County Cricket Circuit: Books: Justin Langer ] ]

Trivia

Melbourne rock band Telemachus Brown wrote a song about Justin Langer entitled "(Wrong about) Justin Langer". It was released on their 2006 EP "Medicine Songs" and was a hit for the band on Melbourne university radio. The song could be a reference to Langer's transformation from being an average test batsman in his early career to a world-class opener later in his career. [ [http://www.myspace.com/telemachusbrown MySpace.com - Telemachus Brown - Melbourne, AU - Autre / Alternative / Rock - www.myspace.com/telemachusbrown ] ]

Langer was the first man to score a century in the New Millennium, reaching 223 against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2000.

Langer is the highest run-scorer for Western Australia in 4-day matches, after passing Tom Moody's old record of 8853 runs on 5 December, 2007 against the Tasmanian Tigers at Bellerive Oval. [ [http://content-www.cricinfo.com/baggygreen/content/story/323858.html Cricinfo - Record-breaking Langer responds to Marsh ton ] ]

References

External links

* [http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/PLAYERS/AUS/L/LANGER_JL_02002071/ Cricinfo player profile]
* [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/article544886.ece TimesOnline- The Big Interview: Justin Langer]