Justin Langer’s farewell has not received the attention that was afforded Shane Warne or Glenn McGrath, or even Damien Martyn. Perhaps the novelty has worn off after the Australia team’s fourth retirement in as many weeks. But the Australian media have praised Langer for his courage and tenacity. Alex Brown writes in The Age that of Langer’s 180 Test innings, there has been no greater example of his commitment to the team than against South Africa in April, when he was felled by a Makhaya Ntini bouncer.
In the days that followed Ntini's bouncer, which thundered into Langer's helmet and forced him to retire hurt after just one ball, the opener would shuffle into the breakfast room at the Sandton Sun hotel, head bowed. He would attempt a mouthful of cereal. Maybe some fruit. And then he would retreat to his room, not to be seen for the rest of the day. But none of this sat well with Langer. Despite the vomiting, the sleepless nights the pounding between his temples, Australia's opening batsman felt he was letting his teammates, his country down. So, with a minimum of fuss, he packed his kit bag and headed to the Wanderers.
Steve Waugh, in the Herald Sun, tells of Langer’s toughness off the field.
Justin Langer is the genuine article, all bar his artificial front fang which appropriately was knocked out by a rearing Kookaburra while taking on a hot-head quick. He is a shining light to all those who aspire to make the most of their potential. He has acted as the team's enforcer when required, once intercepting a delusional Rastafarian Antiguan who lunged aggressively at Warnie as we made our way through a narrow corridor of spectators on our way to the team bus. It was an impressive sight to see the troublemaker being frog-marched away by his earring, pleading for mercy.
Every part of Justin Langer’s character emerged at the press conference announcing his retirement. Passion was shown in the way he talked about the honour of wearing the baggy green cap - an aged example of which sat on the table nearby, looking not unlike one of those manuscripts that periodically emerged from explorations of ancient Carthage. Respect was displayed in the way he thanked everyone who had played any part in his career: captains, coaches, physiotherapists, partners and even board members. Humour was evident in his repeated confessions that he had been a little grumpy at home these past, oh, 18 months.
And in The Age, Greg Baum takes a wider view of what Australia’s mass exodus will mean for the team.
It is widely assumed that because Australia's system is proven, and stars are emerging in interstate cricket, Test replacements will come readymade. But not all who make runs and take wickets in domestic cricket automatically will succeed in Test cricket. None of Darren Lehmann, Michael Bevan and Matthew Elliott had the stellar Test careers forecast for them. Nor yet has Brad Hodge. And it has taken Andrew Symonds until 31 to make his mark. Among the bowlers, big things are expected of Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson and Dan Cullen, but so were they of Scott Muller, Matthew Nicholson and Nathan Hauritz.
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