Now Langers time is up...

[Dutchy]

JUSTIN Langer has become the latest player to announce his retirement from Test cricket, confirming Sydney will be his final Test match.

The 104-Test veteran made the announcement at a press conference at the SCG at noon today and will now follow Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Damien Martyn into retirement.

The opening batsman will continue to play one day internationals and said he will consider his position in that form of the game after this year's World Cup.

Langer said his preparation for this series was akin to that of a boxer and that he doubted he would be able to feel match the euphoria that recent Tests have provided.

Like Shane Warne, Langer said he just realised the "time was right" at 1pm last Saturday.

He paid tribute to coach John Buchanan and the physiotherapist Errol Alcott, who helped him recover from a series of niggling injuries during his career.

Langer's dedication to training, and gutsy batting attitude saw him develop into one of the most successful opening batsmen in the game's history.

The West Australian made his debut against the West Indies in 1993 and scored his highest Test score of 250 against England in 2002/2003.

Langer is 20th on the list of world run-scorers (7650 runs at 45.26 including 23 centuries), and his opening partnership with Hayden is Australia's best, second only to West Indies stars Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes.

New South Wales batsman Phil Jaques and Western Australia's Chris Rogers are the likely candidates to replace Langer, although it may be nearly a year before Australia plays its next Test match

[another grub]

What about Birt from Tassie?

[bayman]

i think they're all being pushed out (told to retire or get dropped)

[Mr66]

I'm old enough to remember Lillie,Marsh and Greg Chappell retiring
within twelve months of each other.
Hopefully the next generation of test cricketers are able to step up
and not let the national team fall away as it did in the mid '80s

[am Bays]

I'm old enough to remember Lillie,Marsh and Greg Chappell retiring
within twelve months of each other.
Hopefully the next generation of test cricketers are able to step up
and not let the national team fall away as it did in the mid '80s

Within 12 months?? try 4 weeks......

[am Bays]

No player of the 397 that have played test cricket have worked harder than JL in the history of Australian Test Cricket. Has worked his arse off to be in the top 20 test run scorers in test cricket history and #6 for Australia.

It would be fair to say there are more talented players than him playing for SA right now, but they haven't got his work ethic, i.e. professionalism, so they are languishing at shield level. Six months with JL working theire buts will turn them into test players....

[Adelaide Hawk]

No player of the 397 that have played test cricket have worked harder than JL in the history of Australian Test Cricket. Has worked his arse off to be in the top 20 test run scorers in test cricket history and #6 for Australia.

It would be fair to say there are more talented players than him playing for SA right now, but they haven't got his work ethic, i.e. professionalism, so they are languishing at shield level. Six months with JL working theire buts will turn them into test players....

I think you are probably selling Langer's ability a little short here, but your point is well made. He was a battler come good through hard work and dedication. A talented battler, but a battler nonetheless. He's also one of the nicest guys I've ever met through cricket.

[McAlmanac]

I remember Langer playing for Port Adelaide when he was attached to the Academy. He looked quite scratchy and there was no inkling of the career that was to follow.

[dinglinga]

always good listening to JL

now JL has retired he fits the age bracket to join SA

maybe he could teach cosi how to apply some dedication to fulfil his potential

thanks langs for the memories

still love his comment to greame smith last year

[Mr66]

I'm old enough to remember Lillie,Marsh and Greg Chappell retiring
within twelve months of each other.
Hopefully the next generation of test cricketers are able to step up
and not let the national team fall away as it did in the mid '80s

Within 12 months?? try 4 weeks......

I had recollections that two retired one summer then the other a year later.
You must eat more spinach than I do Tassie.

[Adelaide Hawk]

I'm old enough to remember Lillie,Marsh and Greg Chappell retiring
within twelve months of each other.
Hopefully the next generation of test cricketers are able to step up
and not let the national team fall away as it did in the mid '80s

Within 12 months?? try 4 weeks......

I had recollections that two retired one summer then the other a year later.
You must eat more spinach than I do Tassie.

Lillee and Chappell announced their retirements prior to the 5th Test v Pakistan in 1983-84 which ended January 6 1984.
Rod Marsh then announced he would retire at the completion of the International one-day series, February 12 1984.

[Punk Rooster]

I'm old enough to remember Lillie,Marsh and Greg Chappell retiring
within twelve months of each other.
Hopefully the next generation of test cricketers are able to step up
and not let the national team fall away as it did in the mid '80s

The Rebel tours had a huge part to play in that.

[mal]

There were 2 LANGERS
The early LANGER was a stubborn slow scoring honest batsman
The LANGER of the last few years was an attacking brilliant batsman.

I admired both of them
The early LANGER faced far superior bowlers

[Aerie]

Yep, amazing how he turned his career around to become a different player. Always had the courage and gutsy side to his play. I admit I didn't really like him up until 4 or 5 years ago, but he has grown on me. A true fighter and the one thing I will always remember him for is his absolute love of playing for the baggygreen. Has chosen the right time to finish.

[mal]

He would have been a great soccer player.
The way he headbutted cricket balls off the fast bowlers......

[rod_rooster]

He would have been a great soccer player.
The way he headbutted cricket balls off the fast bowlers......

Shows how much the English bowling attack is struggling when in 4 Test matches he hasn't headbutted 1 ball

[bulldogs]

Love you JL, his passion and commitment was 2nd to none, listening to him talk was brilliant, he loved his cricket and his teammates. He set the tone for this series with ponting on the 1st morning in Brisbane. What a legend

[Dogwatcher]

Mal, you'd be talking about Robbie (?) Langer. Did he play World Series?

[am Bays]

Chappell announced his retirement day 2 of the 5th test v Pakistan, Lillee on day 3, might have been days 3 & 4 respectively but definately during the test. Marsh announced on day 4 that he wouldn't be touring the West Indies in February but would play the one-day series. Marsh announced his retirement IIRC on the Perth weekend of the triangular series (used to be the weekend before the finals...

[Rik E Boy]

There were 2 LANGERS
The early LANGER was a stubborn slow scoring honest batsman
The LANGER of the last few years was an attacking brilliant batsman.

I admired both of them
The early LANGER faced far superior bowlers

Good post mally. I have always admired Langer's courage and passion for the game. I'm glad he is going out on his terms rather than being forced out of the game due to being sconned so many times as suggested by one cruel poster.

regards,

REB