NLWL retires ...again ...

Justin Langer retires
Courtesy of the WACA


Justin Langer celebrates a wicket with fellow retiree Adam Gilchrist
Getty Images / Cricket AustraliaRetravision Warriors and former Australian Test opener Justin Langer will play his final match for the State in the Pura Cup match against the Tasmanian Tigers, beginning at the WACA Ground on Friday.

Thirty-seven-year old Langer will bring the curtain down on a memorable career that included playing in two Sheffield Shield wins, captaining a Mercantile Mutual Cup victory for WA, and becoming the first Western Australian to play 100 Tests for his country.

A proud and passionate Western Australian, Langer made his State debut in a Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at the WACA Ground in December 1991, opening the batting with Mike Veletta and making 59 in his first knock.

He rose to prominence towards the end of his first season after scoring a typically gutsy, and match-winning, 149 in the second innings of the Sheffield Shield final against New South Wales, helping WA recover after crashing to 3-3.

Langer made his Test debut less than 12 months later against the West Indies at the Adelaide Oval, answering an SOS after Western Australian team mate Damien Martyn was accidentally poked in the eye at a training session on the eve of the match.

He would long be remembered for his fighting efforts with the bat against a pace attack featuring the likes of Curtly Ambrose, Ian Bishop and Courtney Walsh. Langer top-scored in the second innings with 54, almost carrying Australia over the line to a series-winning victory.

It was in the Test arena that Langer’s star shone brightest, playing 105 matches, scoring 7696 runs at the tremendous average of 45.27, with 23 100s, 30 50s and a highest score of 250 against England at the MCG in December 2002.

He bowed out of international cricket on the highest possible note last summer after playing a major role in Australia’s 5-nil Ashes whitewash of England.

Langer has played 117 first-class matches for Western Australia, and will end his career as the highest run-scorer in the State’s history. Heading into this weekend’s match, he has scored 9797 runs at an average of 50.76, with 28 100s, 39 50s, and a highest score of 274 not out against South Australia at the WACA Ground in 1996-97.

He also became the first WA player to reach 100 one-day matches for the State in the recent Ford Ranger Cup game against Victoria at the WACA Ground in what turned out to be his final appearance in coloured clothing for the Warriors. His one-day record stands at 3374 runs (avg. 38.78), seven 100s, 23 50s, and a top score of 146 against South Australia in 1999-2000.

On top of the runs he scored, he received many personal accolades, most notably taking out the Gold Cup for WA’s most outstanding cricketer on three occasions and being crowned Western Australian Sports Star of the Year in 1999.

He has also been an active participant in community initiatives as a member of the Australia Day Council and has generously given his time as a patron for eight different charities around WA.

WACA Chief Executive Officer Graeme Wood says Langer was one of the greatest cricketers ever produced in Western Australia.

“From a playing perspective he was the best batsman to come out of this State with an outstanding record in all levels of cricket,” Wood said.

“His preparation was outstanding and a lesson for all cricketers, as was his desire and hunger to succeed.

“Probably the characteristic I will always admire in Justin was that it did not matter what level of cricket he was playing in, whether it be Test or district cricket, he always gave 100%.

“It would be great for Justin to remain involved with WA cricket, and I am sure he would have a significant role to play in our High Performance area or possibly down the track as a member of the WACA Board.”

WACA President Dennis Lillee says Langer was a man who played the game hard and played to win.

“Justin has been an amazing player for Western Australia and he’ll go down as one of the best batsmen ever produced in this State,” Lillee said.

“His dedication and application was second to none and I have nothing but admiration for the way he played the game of cricket.

“Because of those outstanding attributes, I sincerely hope that he has a role to play in Western Australian cricket’s future.”

WACA Chairman David Williams said: “On behalf of the WACA, I congratulate Justin on his wonderful career and thank him for his great contribution to Western Australian cricket.”

“Although his WA cricket career has come to an end, we know that in the future Justin will play many more great innings off the field.”

Retravision Warriors Manager and Head Coach Tom Moody says Langer’s record for Western Australia and Australia puts him among the greats of the game.

“He has produced phenomenal feats on the field over 17 years at first-class level and has been the ultimate professional and role model to aspiring cricketers,” Moody said.

“Players of Justin’s calibre come along rarely, and it has been a pleasure to have played alongside him in successful Western Australian teams, and also to have been involved this year as his coach.”

Retravision Warriors Captain Marcus North says he is honoured to have played with one of Western Australia’s greatest cricketers.

“I have been privileged to have had the opportunity to learn from his wealth of knowledge as a player and a leader, something which has been of great benefit to my career,” North said.

Langer’s farewell appearance in the Retravision Warriors’ final Pura Cup match for the 2007-08 season begins on Friday at the WACA Ground at 10:30am.

"From a playing perspective he was the best batsman to come out of this State with an outstanding record in all levels of cricket,” Wood said.

So there was a better batsman from a non-playing perspective? That Wood bloke is a twit

G.Wood wrote:

"From a playing perspective he was the best batsman to come out of this State with an outstanding record in all levels of cricket,” Wood said.

So there was a better batsman from a non-playing perspective? That Wood bloke is a twit

Marto was a better bat with a lesser record ...You're too hard on yourself

WACA Chief Executive Officer Graeme Wood

No endless committee posturing - decisions are made - yes, no, sorry mate!

Funny you should say that ,Mick ...Woody is a tough ****** as the CEO ... His way or ****** off ...and his way is usually right ....the WACA has a few scared employees since he got the job

lol...bnlg will be missed...hopefully someone is standing self harm watch on zimmy...gilly, piggsy and bnlg all gone...all zimmi needs is for magoo to return to waffieland

embee wrote:

G.Wood wrote:

"From a playing perspective he was the best batsman to come out of this State with an outstanding record in all levels of cricket,” Wood said.

So there was a better batsman from a non-playing perspective? That Wood bloke is a twit

Marto was a better bat with a lesser record ...You're too hard on yourself

Surely that still comes under the banner of "playing perspective".

I stand by my assertion that I am a twit

Is there a partition to sign?

No

My statement was what you meant ...I think ...

Not arguing with that ...

So with these mass "retirements" and Gilly making statements about how every day he wakes up he knows he's made the right decision, how much heart are all these retirees gonna have for the IPL and ICL? Of course the answer is WGAF, but I'm sure the franchises will want some return on their big outlays.

His way or ****** off

Nothing's changed then

embee wrote:Funny you should say that ,Mick ...Woody is a tough ****** as the CEO ... His way or ****** off ...and his way is usually right ....the WACA has a few scared employees since he got the job

What's his professional pedigree?

skully wrote:So with these mass "retirements" and Gilly making statements about how every day he wakes up he knows he's made the right decision, how much heart are all these retirees gonna have for the IPL and ICL? Of course the answer is WGAF, but I'm sure the franchises will want some return on their big outlays.

It's part time "consultancy" work in the transition to retirement skull. Hardly running a marathon every day.

embee wrote:

Everyone else on the forum wrote: Get ****** , Horrie

well thank you everyone...

didn't know that everyone is a waffie...

bnlg enjoyed a good career and finished wioth a useful average...don't think he was ever as good after being sconed by Ntini

Mick Sawyer wrote:

embee wrote:Funny you should say that ,Mick ...Woody is a tough ****** as the CEO ... His way or ****** off ...and his way is usually right ....the WACA has a few scared employees since he got the job

What's his professional pedigree?

Not sure of his qualifications ...but he previously was high up at CUB in WA ...

Mick Sawyer wrote:

skully wrote:So with these mass "retirements" and Gilly making statements about how every day he wakes up he knows he's made the right decision, how much heart are all these retirees gonna have for the IPL and ICL? Of course the answer is WGAF, but I'm sure the franchises will want some return on their big outlays.

It's part time "consultancy" work in the transition to retirement skull. Hardly running a marathon every day.

Farkin handy hourly rates these "consultants" are being paid.

embee wrote:

Mick Sawyer wrote:

embee wrote:Funny you should say that ,Mick ...Woody is a tough ****** as the CEO ... His way or ****** off ...and his way is usually right ....the WACA has a few scared employees since he got the job

What's his professional pedigree?

Not sure of his qualifications ...but he previously was high up at CUB in WA ...

hmmmmmm - some time in the school of hard bumps and survival then.

Farkin handy hourly rates these "consultants" are being paid.

As my late father in law would have said - "consultant, that's just code for an overated useless count isn't it?"

skully wrote:

Mick Sawyer wrote:

skully wrote:So with these mass "retirements" and Gilly making statements about how every day he wakes up he knows he's made the right decision, how much heart are all these retirees gonna have for the IPL and ICL? Of course the answer is WGAF, but I'm sure the franchises will want some return on their big outlays.

It's part time "consultancy" work in the transition to retirement skull. Hardly running a marathon every day.

Farkin handy hourly rates these "consultants" are being paid.

8 teams ...$6million pay per team ....$48 million ....BCCI has generated $1.75 BILLION from the sale of TV rights , promotion and Franchises ....maybe they are underpaid

plus the $6.0M per team is paid by the owner... expect john the bookie will see lots of that loot

Mick Sawyer wrote:

Farkin handy hourly rates these "consultants" are being paid.

As my late father in law would have said - "consultant, that's just code for an overated useless count isn't it?"

Hehehe. Sage.

skully wrote:

Mick Sawyer wrote:

Farkin handy hourly rates these "consultants" are being paid.

As my late father in law would have said - "consultant, that's just code for an overated useless count isn't it?"

Hehehe. Sage.

I resemble that!

SIUUBG.