Langer trusts perfect timing

Justin Langer © Getty Images

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Justin Langer has no doubt he has timed his retirement from Test cricket perfectly as he prepares to bow out by trying to help Australia inflict a first Ashes whitewash on England in 85 years.

The obdurate left-handed opener became the fourth Australian veteran in as many weeks to announce his retirement from international cricket - joining bowling greats Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath in deciding to hang up the boots after the fifth and final Test in Sydney.

The 36-year-old's announcement ended days of speculation, and also follows that of his fellow West Australian Damien Martyn, who quit the game suddenly after the second Test.

Langer is confident his timing - as so often in the past - is once again spot on after playing an important part in another enduring Ashes series.

“I felt like a heavyweight boxer going into that first Test,” he recalled, looking back to late November in Brisbane and the start of Australia’s successful attempt to win back the Ashes.

“Everything was building to that - I got to Brisbane and I was ready for it.”

He made 82 and then an unbeaten century in the second innings at the Gabba as Australia inflicted an innings defeat on England, which set the tone for what has been a mis-matched series.

Damien Martyn retired after the second Test © Getty Images

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“Then how could it get any better than (the second Test in) Adelaide - one of the great Test victories?” he asked.

“Then it was Perth, so emotional when we won the Ashes again. That is why I think the timing is right now - how can it get any bigger than this?”

Langer, who has played 104 Test matches since making his debut in 1993, has racked up 23 Test hundreds - more than Mark Waugh, Bill Lawry and Ian Chappell.

Alongside fellow left-hander Matthew Hayden, he has been one half of one of cricket’s all-time best opening partnerships.

Langer, who has scored 7650 Test runs at an average of 45.26, played just eight one-day internationals.

His 100th Test, played against South Africa in Johannesburg last year, will be remembered for Makhaya Ntini crashing a bouncer into his head which forced his withdrawal from the tour of Bangladesh.

It is believed he was almost ready to quit after the South African tour, but the motivation of an Ashes series where Australia were out to reclaim the urn proved too much.

Langer will continue to play first-class cricket, for his native Western Australia as well as in England - where he will captain Somerset for the 2007 season.