da marjack bet： Former Australia opener Justin Langer, who retired from the Test scene in January 2007, is considering extending his competitive cricket career to the age of 40
da 888： Jason Dasey08-Nov-2008
Justin Langer wants to keep playing for some time yet © Getty Images
Former Australia opener Justin Langer, who retired from the Test scene in January 2007, is considering extending his competitive cricket career to the age of 40. Langer, the Somerset captain, said his body was holding up well and he was enjoying the game more than ever. He turns 38 on November 21st.”Many years ago when I was starting out, I set the target of playing until I was 40,” he said. “I’m still feeling good so it’s something that I’d like to achieve.”Langer has agreed to return to Somerset for a fourth season in 2009 after agreeing to a new one -year contract. He’s also planning to play for the Rajasthan Royals in next year’s Indian Premier League after missing the 2008 campaign with the Jaipur-based franchise because of his commitments at Somerset.”Adam Gilchrist told me that the IPL was six of thebest weeks he’s had in his entire career,” he said.”There’s a few more details to finalise, but I’mreally looking forward to being part of it.”Langer made his comments in Hong Kong where he’splaying for an All-Stars team in this weekend’s HongKong Cricket Sixes. His team-mates include former NewZealand captain Stephen Fleming, the West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul and veteran Sri Lankaopener Sanath Jayasuriya.”I’ve always been fascinated by the Sixes,” he said. “So to getthe invitation this year to play in Hong Kong I wasthrilled.”It’s the start of a busy week for Langer that will seehim oppose his former Australiateam-mates in a Twenty20 game at the Gabba in Brisbaneon November 14. Langer and old friend Gilchrist -with 201 Test matches and 40 Test centuries betweenthem – are the big-name members of another All-Starsteam, coached by ex-India boss, Greg Chappell.”For me and Gilly, it should be great fun and good tobe back on the big stage again,” he said. “But playingagainst Australia and playing against my mates, I’mnot so sure about that. It pays me back when Australiaplayed Australia A nearly ten years ago.”Langer had another successful season as Somersetcaptain in 2008, taking the newly-promoted side to thebrink of success in Division One of the CountyChampionship before they eventually finished fourth.He was Somerset’s second-highest run-scorer – behindformer international opponent Marcus Trescothick -with 1083 runs at 43.32 including three centuries.He said: “I love playing for Somerset. For me thegreatest challenge now is to stay hungry. I’ve justgot to keep setting myself new goals from a battingperspective. All the rest of it I really enjoy: thelifestyle, the competition, the management side ofbeing captain and I can stay nice and fit.”Langer added that he’s not too concerned about therecent struggles of the Australia Test team on thetour of India. “India is the toughest place in the world to play,” he said. “When we won the last series in India that for me, was the highlight of my career.”It was like reaching thecrest of Mount Everest. So I’m going to keep it inperspective. We have a young side in India at themoment and they’ve competed very well. We don’t haveto worry too much about Australian cricket.”
