Romeo
13 Apr 2006, 21:17
Langer the Lionheart…by Mike Haysman (javascript:void(0)) Posted on 7 April 2006
The last two Tests against Australia are the reason we sit glued to our television screens for five days transfixed. It was attritional cricket that stimulated all who witnessed it. Ok, the results may not have pleased all but as a spectacle and an advertisement for cricket it does not get any better.
I did not miss a ball, I couldn’t.
Justin Langer did miss a ball. Unfortunately for him it was the ball he had been dreaming about from the time he strapped on the skins for the first time in his backyard with his best mates decades ago. Every Test cricketer, upon embarking on a career at this level, wants to know if he is good enough to succeed for a prolonged period. Once that box has been initially ticked the next goal seems totally unrealistic. Very few have been talented enough to represent their beloved country in a hundred Tests. Only the very best and extremely dedicated achieve this. Justin Langer is of that breed.
Imagine his emotions as he strode out to the middle of the Wanderers on day two of the last Test to take guard. Imagine all the blood, sweat, tears and sacrifices that he and his family have made over the years so he could mix it with an elite group. Throughout his career the diminutive Langer has epitomized good old-fashioned grunt and hard yakka.
He would have been utterly focused as he always is, as Ntini approached him at the rate of knots to deliver the opening gambit. Then the lights went out!
The remainder of the Test will always be a blur for Justin. That final morning however was crystal clear.
I ran into Justin on Wednesday morning as he did some last minute shopping before embarking on the trek home. He was still very groggy and looking the worse for wear.
Langer has often publicly stated that his whole life is based on respect. He told me that after a particularly tetchy summer, both individually and collectively, he had gained enormous respect for Graeme Smith after he phoned him at the hospital the night of the incident. Justin was stunned by this contact and literally beaming whilst relaying the story.
I asked him when he decided to throw all the medical advice out of the window and prepare to bat. He said he wasn’t exactly sure but as things were reaching a climax and Clarke was dismissed, he automatically retreated to the back of the change room.
He said, “ The head rules the heart but there came a time when the heart just took over.”
As Ricky Ponting realized what he was doing he sidled up to him earnestly. Ponting looked Justin in the eye and said he will have to declare.
Those steely blue eyes that have stared down many an attack returned the gaze and retorted, “What? The innings or our friendship?”
Justin told me he had to do it. He said that he could not let his mates down. He told me that playing Test cricket for Australia is just as much fun as playing backyard cricket with all your best mates from decades ago. That is how sport should be.
The last two Tests against Australia are the reason we sit glued to our television screens for five days transfixed. It was attritional cricket that stimulated all who witnessed it. Ok, the results may not have pleased all but as a spectacle and an advertisement for cricket it does not get any better.
I did not miss a ball, I couldn’t.
Justin Langer did miss a ball. Unfortunately for him it was the ball he had been dreaming about from the time he strapped on the skins for the first time in his backyard with his best mates decades ago. Every Test cricketer, upon embarking on a career at this level, wants to know if he is good enough to succeed for a prolonged period. Once that box has been initially ticked the next goal seems totally unrealistic. Very few have been talented enough to represent their beloved country in a hundred Tests. Only the very best and extremely dedicated achieve this. Justin Langer is of that breed.
Imagine his emotions as he strode out to the middle of the Wanderers on day two of the last Test to take guard. Imagine all the blood, sweat, tears and sacrifices that he and his family have made over the years so he could mix it with an elite group. Throughout his career the diminutive Langer has epitomized good old-fashioned grunt and hard yakka.
He would have been utterly focused as he always is, as Ntini approached him at the rate of knots to deliver the opening gambit. Then the lights went out!
The remainder of the Test will always be a blur for Justin. That final morning however was crystal clear.
I ran into Justin on Wednesday morning as he did some last minute shopping before embarking on the trek home. He was still very groggy and looking the worse for wear.
Langer has often publicly stated that his whole life is based on respect. He told me that after a particularly tetchy summer, both individually and collectively, he had gained enormous respect for Graeme Smith after he phoned him at the hospital the night of the incident. Justin was stunned by this contact and literally beaming whilst relaying the story.
I asked him when he decided to throw all the medical advice out of the window and prepare to bat. He said he wasn’t exactly sure but as things were reaching a climax and Clarke was dismissed, he automatically retreated to the back of the change room.
He said, “ The head rules the heart but there came a time when the heart just took over.”
As Ricky Ponting realized what he was doing he sidled up to him earnestly. Ponting looked Justin in the eye and said he will have to declare.
Those steely blue eyes that have stared down many an attack returned the gaze and retorted, “What? The innings or our friendship?”
Justin told me he had to do it. He said that he could not let his mates down. He told me that playing Test cricket for Australia is just as much fun as playing backyard cricket with all your best mates from decades ago. That is how sport should be.