12 facts about Justin Langer: The Unsung Hero of formidable Australian side

Justin Langer, the former Australian opener who was known for his big partnerships with Mathew Hayden, turns 45 today. The Perth-born current Western Australia coach, is perhaps the first batsman in the history of the game who averaged in the forties but was always found vying for the opener slot in the team. While everyone talked about how explosive Hayden batted, Justin Langer largely lived in the shadows but nonetheless was definitely as unsung hero of the formidable Australian team that dominated the world cricket in the previous decade.

1. Personal Life

Justin Langer is the nephew of Rob Langer, a left-handed batsman who played for Western Australia during the 1970s and 1980s. His uncle Rob Langer had carved a niche of his own and averaged 43 in first class career. Perhaps it wouldn’t be wrong to say that Justin had cricket in his blood. Justin Langer got married to his high school girlfriend, Sue, and has four daughters.

2. Cricket not the only Sport for Langer

Justin Langer has had a great interest in martial arts too. Justin Langer has obtained the rank of Shodan-H- 1st degree black belt in Zen Do Kai and has acknowledged his Bushido Cross. He has also had the privilege to get into the ring with Vic Darchinyan, the Armenian-Australian professional boxer and former three-division world champion, who has won eight titles in three different weight classes. So needless to say, Justin loves big fights!

3. The Nickname game

Justin Langer was nicknamed as ‘Alife’, which came from the name of Allan Jeffrey Langer, who was one of the superstars of Australian Rugby league. He was later nicknamed as ‘JL’ by his Australian cricket teammates.

4. Domestic Career: Highest Run Scorer

Justin Langer has scored the most First-Class runs (28,382 at 50.23) among Australians. He has scored 86 hundreds in his career which is the second-best among Australians after Sir Don Bradman’s 117.

5. International Cricket

Justin Langer played 105 Tests and amassed 7696 runs at an average of 45.27. He scored 23 hundreds in his Test career. Despite being a regular face in the Test team, Justin could manage to feature in Australian ODI colors in only 8 matches with a top score of 36.

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6. Handy with the Ball

Although he just bowled a single over in his 105-matches long Test career, he was more than handy with the bowl in First Class games. He was an economical medium-pacer who took 5 wickets in his First Class career and 7 in List A matches. 5 and 7 sound a little too less, but here are the batsmen who he bowled over: Allan Border, Herschelle Gibbs, Stuart Law, Jacques Kallis and Hansie Cronje (in First-Class cricket) and Mark Butcher (in List A).

7. A Wicket-Keeper too!

Justin Langer made his ODI debut as a wicket-keeper against Sri Lanka in 1994. He could not seize his place in the team though. As a keeper, he took two catches and has a stumping under his name.

8. Tormented Pakistan at WACA 2004-05

Justin Langer was simply way too good for the sub-continental team during Pakistan’s tour to Australia in 2004-05. He outscored the opposition (191 and 97 in the two innings) as against Pakistan’s scores of 179 and 72 in the two innings.

9. Not very happy 100^th test

Justin Langer played his 100^th test against South Africa at the Wanderers. Justin Langer was hit on his head by a Ntini delivery after which he fainted. However, he had padded up when Australia were 275 for eight after being set 294. Lee and Kasprowicz scored the remaining runs. Ponting later admitted that he would have declared the innings closed, had Langer made an attempt to enter the ground.

Here is the video:

10. The Author in Him

Langer has penned down four books: From Outback to Outfield: A Revealing Diary of Life on the County Cricket Circuit; The Power of Passion; he co-authored his next book Ashes Frontline: The Ashes War Diaries of Steve Harmison and Justin Langer with Steve Harmison and the last one being Seeing the Sunrise.

11. A tournament under his Name

The two colleges where he studied, Aquinas College and Newman College now play for the Justin Langer Shield every year.

12. In contention for India’s coach

Justin Langer was a forerunner for the position of India’s coach. But the former Perth Scorchers player decided not to stay away from his family and chose to coach Western Australia instead.