Langer announces retirement

“It’s not just a game, it’s the greatest game in the world.”

Australian opening batsman Justin Langer, has announced his retirement today, ending speculation on his cricketing future.

The 35 year old told a packed Sydney press conference that he would be ending his illustrious international career, one that has yielded over seven and a half thousand runs in 104 matches with one still to go.

The final Ashes Test in Sydney will be his last international match, together with team-mates Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.

“For me to have 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,” he said.

Langer said the part he’ll miss most would be walking out with opening partner and best mate Matthew Hayden.

“I love the battle, I’m going to miss that,” he said.

“I was getting pretty emotional.”

“To give away the chance to wear the Baggy Green, you fight it, but you know it’s time, I know in my heart it’s the right thing to do.”

Langer, whilst emotional about the end of his career, was looking at the brighter side; the chance to finally spend time with his family.

“The upside of retiring is that I could give my family the attention they deserve.”

“My wife’s an amazing person and my kids are beautiful…I’m looking forward to that chapter of my life.”

“I won’t miss the aches and pains of Test cricket.”

Langer said he will finish the season for Western Australia and play for Somerset in England next winter.