Langer back in Somerset (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Langer back in Somerset

1:30pm Saturday 17th July 2010 in

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FORMER Somerset captain Justin Langer is all set to return to the County Ground on July 29.

Langer led the county from the bottom of division two in the County Championship and the Pro 40 to joint promotions in 2007 and made them serious contenders for the title in both in the space of three seasons. He also took the side to the final of the T20 and a place in the Champions League.

Langer, who is a veteran of 104 Test matches for his native Australia, will be joining up with former South African test batsman and Somerset run machine Jimmy Cook and former England and Kent paceman Richard Ellison to run a masterclass to which the most talented young cricketers across the south-west will be invited.

The former Somerset skipper is currently over here in England as the batting and leadership coach for the Australian test team but, once the current Test series is over, he will be heading west to catch up with familiar faces at Taunton.

Langer told me: “I can’t wait to come back to Somerset because it was just like my second home for a few years. When we left Sue and the girls, just like me, were very sad that they weren’t coming back. They felt the same in April this year which is the when we usually come over to England.

“I have got many great friends and so many great memories of my three years at Somerset.”

“Every game that Somerset have played this season I have been watching their progress on the internet to see how they have been getting on – so Taunton is a very special place to me and I am really looking forward to coming back and helping some of the youngsters out, as well as watching a bit of cricket at the County Ground.”

How does he feel about the way some of his protégés had progressed in recent months?

“I am delighted with the way that Craig Kieswetter and Pete Trego have progressed into the England ranks and I am also thrilled with the way that James Hildreth is playing.

“James has got himself supremely fit and is living a great lifestyle so I am pleased about that. Craig has done extraordinarily well, which doesn’t surprise me because of his natural ability, and neither does Pete Trego’s success playing for the England Lions.”

How did Langer’s time at the County rank in the context of his career?

“I have said it lots of times but my years at Somerset were some of the most rewarding I have experienced in my life. To come back and play county cricket after a time in international cricket is something I never thought I would do, so it was great fun, plus there was a great management team at the club.

“I have always talked about leadership and Somerset has got that starting at the top with chief executive Richard Gould, Brian Rose and Andy Hurry, with whom I have a very close bond.”

He went on: “Then to have senior players like Andy Caddick, Marcus Trescothick and Alfonso Thomas to play alongside made it an awesome time in my cricketing career.”

“Most importantly, it was a very special time in my life and in my family’s life and I will never forget it, which is why I am looking forward so much to coming back to Somerset to catch up with people.”

Langer also talked about his cricket master-class.“I am passionate about batting, have known about it since I was a kid and would like to impart some of that experience and knowledge to the youngsters who come along to the master-class.”