The exodus of Australian cricket veterans continued yesterday, with Justin Langer confirming he will join bowlers Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath in Test retirement after the last Ashes match against England.
The 36-year-old opening batsman said the fifth Test starting today in Sydney would be his last.
"There hasn't been a waking moment for the last 20 years where I haven't thought about playing Test cricket and wearing the baggy green cap, so this is a tough moment," he told a news conference at the Sydney Cricket Ground. "There hasn't been a moment where Test cricket hasn't been on my mind."
Langer has scored 7,650 runs at an average of 45.27, including 23 centuries, in 104 Test matches and, together with Matthew Hayden, has forged Australia's most successful opening partnerships.
He is the fourth long-standing member of the Australian side to announce his retirement this summer, joining all-time leading wicket taker Warne, all-time leading paceman McGrath and fellow West Australian batsman Damien Martyn.
Langer made his Test debut against the West Indies in Adelaide in 1993, but did not hold a permanent place in the starting XI until 2001-2002.
"It was obviously a tough decision ... but I know in my heart it's the right thing to do," he said. "They say `go out on your terms and on top of your game' and I think I'm doing that."
Australia leads the Test and limited-overs world rankings, is a two-time defending World Cup champion and won all 10 Test matches it played last year -- including the first four of the ongoing Ashes series against England.
Langer said playing alongside some of the greats of cricket had been one of the most satisfying aspects of his international career.
"I've played in an incredible team so I retire from this game having played with some of the greatest players of all time," he said. "It's been a privilege with Shane and Glenn and Adam Gilchrist, the greatest wicketkeeper of all time, and Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting, who is the greatest batsman this country has produced after Bradman."
Langer, who will continue playing first-class cricket for Western Australia and English county Somerset, has opened the innings with Hayden since the end of the 2001 Ashes series at The Oval in England.
"I'm very proud of the partnership I've formed with Matthew Hayden and the friendships I've made with all the other players," he said.
As an opening partnership, Langer and Hayden have combined for 5,575 runs in 111 innings at 51.15. In their first seven Tests together, Langer and Hayden combined for four double-hundred opening stands and a century opening partnership.
Only West Indies pair Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes have made more runs (6,482 at 46.63) than Langer and Hayden, but they played together for 13 years.
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said the Langer was only the 10th Australian to play in 100 or more Test matches was a testament to his enduring commitment.
"The pride and dignity with which he represented his country, and the calm authority he has exercised within a team of great, once-in-a-lifetime champions, is something cricket fans will remember most," Sutherland said. "Justin Langer has walked as an equal with great players and that will leave memories that last even longer than his impressive playing statistics."
Australia reclaimed the Ashes in Perth last month after an upset series loss in England last year. On the eve of the Sydney Test, Australia was aiming to be only the second team to sweep a five-Test Ashes series.
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