Cricket: Langer focuses on the positive

Anyone doubting the depth of Justin Langer's mental toughness should consider his views on the Australian one-day side.

One of the star selections in the World XI to play New Zealand this month, Langer has just completed his most successful year in the test arena, scoring 1481 runs in the 12 month-period, including five centuries.

His brightest moments included pasting the New Zealanders for 215 at Adelaide, and scoring a total of 288 runs against a fiery Pakistan attack in last month's first test at Perth.

Yet, at a time when the Aussie ODI side has temporarily lost opener Matthew Hayden and the left-handed Simon Katich, the 33-year-old Langer cannot get a look in, and clearly remains surplus to the selectors' plans.

The snub might have eaten away at a lesser spirit, as Langer performed creditably in his eight ODIs up to 1997, averaging a respectable 32.00 with an impressive strike-rate of 88.88.

But far from resenting either the players picked ahead of him or the selection panel, Langer said yesterday that he had come to terms with the situation, and was determined to concentrate on the positive aspects of his career.

"I realise that I'm competing against two superstars of the world one-day game," he said.

"Mattie Hayden's been almost Bradmanesque over the past couple of years, and Gilly [Adam Gilchrist] - well he's been a total phenomenon and who could ever question his credentials.

"I'm delighted for them, to be honest - because they're both close friends," Langer said. "I'd love to be playing with them, but there's a lot of talent around and the selectors can only pick 11."

The most dramatic example of the formidable player-depth in Australia is that Langer could walk into any other team on the planet as an opener, and would in most cases be immediately installed as captain.

The skipper of Western Australia underlined his outstanding value to the test team when he ended the series against Pakistan with 21 career centuries, four of which were scored against New Zealand.

In terms of his countrymen, Langer is in useful company; the only Australians to have scored more hundreds are Greg Chappell (24), Allan Border (27), Sir Donald Bradman (29) and Steve Waugh (32).

It was always difficult leaving the team after a test series, but he said he had become immune to it over the last few years.

"It was particularly hard early-on and I don't think you ever actually get over it, but I guess I've got used to it - that's the difference now.

"I would have loved to have played ODI cricket and still would if the chance ever arose but I'm not holding my breath."

Instead of becoming frustrated by his non-selection, Langer said he tried to manage his emotions, to the extent that the non-selection probably led to an improvement in his test form.

Without the saturation of both test and ODI cricket, the father of three was able to treat himself to an old-fashioned pre-season, and use the time to hone his test preparations.

"I've no doubt that the success I've had in the past year has been a result of the hard work I was able to do in the pre-season," he said.

"I've always been a committed trainer but I probably worked harder this pre-season than I have in my life.

"It's great to have the time to do that, and it's something that probably isn't as available to the guys who are in both teams."

At 33, Langer is aware that the shadows are growing a tad longer on his competitive career, but is at peace with himself and is secretly looking forward to concentrating more on his second love, writing.

Already the author of The Power of Passion, an instructional and motivational guide for young adults, he said he would like nothing better than to develop his writing career when his cricket days were over.

"I'd like to help inspire and motivate young people through writing, and speaking about my own experiences," he said.

"I've been fortunate enough to be a professional cricketer for a long time, and as a result of that quite awesome journey I've learned lessons that apply as much to life as to the game itself."

JUSTIN LANGER

Age: 33

Marital Status: Married to Sue

Children: Three daughters - Jessica, Ali-Rose and Sophie.

Teams: Western Australia, Middlesex, Australia

Tests Stats: 6401 runs at 46.05 (21 centuries)

ODI Stats: 160 runs at 32.00 (8 games)