Somerset captain Justin Langer, has announced that he is retiring from the first class game in Australia and the forthcoming Pura Cup match against Tasmania that gets underway at the WACA  on Friday will be his swansong.

Langer, who is 37 years old, made his debut for Western Australia back in December 1991 and since then has gone on to become the state's highest run scorer. He ended his 104 match Test career after helping his country to regain the Ashes last winter.To date Langer has played in 117 first class matches for Western Australia and scored 9797 runs at an average of 50.76

The Western Australian Cricket Association's (WACA) chief executive officer Graeme Wood said: "From a playing perspective he was the best batsman to come out of this state with an outstanding record in all levels of cricket."

"His preparation was outstanding and a lesson for all cricketers, as was his desire and hunger to succeed."

Wood went on to say that he hoped Langer would want to remain involved with cricket in Western Australia. The state coach Tom Moody said that Langer's record put him among the greats of the game.

Moody said: "He has produced phenomenal feats on the field over 17 years at first-class level and has been the ultimate professional and role model to aspiring cricketers."

"Players of Justin's calibre come along rarely, and it has been a pleasure to have played alongside him in successful Western Australian teams, and also to have been involved this year as his coach."
Justin Langer will return to Somerset with his family in early April in preparation for the start of the season later in the month.

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